According to equalitynow.org, there are currently an estimated 20.9 million men, women, and children enslaved due to human trafficking. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime defines human trafficking as:
The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs In fact, human trafficking is considered the fastest growing criminal enterprise and the 3rd most profitable criminal industry. Annually,in the United States, human trafficking generates over $9.5 billion while sex trafficking generates $4 billion per year. Human trafficking occurs in every country, and even in places you would not expect. It could even be happening in your neighborhood. |
Sex slavery falls under the category of human trafficking and 6 of 10 humans trafficked are sex slaves. 80% of humans trafficked and 98% of victims sold for sex are women. Although slavery has been long abolished in the United States, there are currently more slaves than at any other point in history.
Sex slavery is all around us whether we realize it or not. I found this powerful YouTube video called "Back to Innocence" illustrating the realities of sex slavery, and the victims who are forced into it. After I watched it, it became apparent to me why ending sex slavery is so important. |