27 million people are enslaved right now. There are more slaves today than at any other time in history.
Let that sink in.
Sexual exploitation. Child labor. Bonded workers.
2,500 women and children are sold into sexual slavery every day. And Atlanta is the one number hub of human trafficking and child sex exploitation. The average age of a child being exploited for sex in Atlanta is 14.
These statistics are heartbreaking, especially living in Atlanta. But there is hope.
Last week I attended the Passion 2012 Conference, where over 45,000 college aged students came together to learn about being a Christian leader in our generation. During that time, Passion had a Do Something Now campaign which focused on human trafficking. I highly encourage you to watch the video linked below to see the impact that raising awareness then ACTING on this issue is having.
Today is Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and I encourage you not just to become aware of this sobering issue, but to do something about it.
Because this isn't just happening far away from home. This affects you and your life.
The shirt you're wearing today, the coffee you're drinking as you read this, the computer you're on right now... these products are made by slaves. Most of the raw materials that make up these products are harvested, processed, or mined by slaves: Bonded workers, exploited, trapped, abused. Skeptical? Check out My Slavery Footprint.
While it's not realistic to stop buying slave-made products, since virtually everything has been touched by a slave in some form or another, you can still make a difference. You can be aware of where and how products are made, and you can use your voice to show that you want change.
Below is a list of organizations that are committed to preventing human trafficking, rescuing people from it, and restoring lives.
Let's end this together.
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