January 11 is a day to remember a silent population: the victims of human trafficking. Since they can’t speak for themselves, we take a moment to speak out for them. Facts that may be new to you about the underworld of Human Trafficking:
- It is estimated that upwards of 27 million men, women and children are victims of human trafficking – modern day slavery across the globe. That’s more people than the total populations of some countries, like Greece or Ghana.
- Every year, thousands of slaves are trafficked right here in the U.S. It’s a national and international crisis.
- Over 80% of those trans-nationally trafficked are women and children.
- Some 800,000 people against their will are trafficked across international borders each year – and 50% of them are children.
- A slave today costs an average of just $90. Compare that to a slave in 1850 in the southern U.S., with an equivalent cost today of $40,000.
- Slavery is masked by many names: debt-bonded, forced labor, indentured servitude. By any other name it is still slavery.
- Slaves can be found in a multitude of places, from fields to brothels to factories. They can be found in homes or restaurants near you.
- Slavery is not legal anywhere, and yet it happens everywhere.
We are delighted to announce that Lisa Kristine, world renowned humanitarian photographer, has donated the rights to use one of her human trafficking images on our 2014 National Global Human Trafficking Awareness Day Poster.