Human trafficking is a crime that exploits women, children and men for numerous purposes including forced labour and sex. The International Labour Organization estimates that 21 million people are victims of forced labour globally. This estimate also includes victims of human trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation. While it is not known how many of these victims were trafficked, the estimate implies that currently, there are millions of trafficking in persons victims in the … [Read more...]
North Korea defector Yeomi Park is Taking Action!
“Kim Jong Un doesn’t like me at all,” says 21-year-old defector from North Korea Yeonmi Park captivated the audience with her remarkable story of survival trekking through the Gobi Desert “Kim Jong Un doesn’t like me at all,” said Yeonmi Park, a 21-year-old North Korean defector turned activist. Talk about an understatement. But this was just one lighthearted line during a moving, tearful discussion on the second night of the Women in the World Summit featuring the dynamic Park, LiNK … [Read more...]
International Day of Prayer Against Human Trafficking, Feb. 8
Pontifical Council Announces International Day of Prayer Against Trafficking Will Be Celebrated Feb. 8, Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita Josephine Margaret Bakhita, F.D.C.C., was a Sudanese-born former slave who became a Canossian Religious Sister in Italy, living and working there for 45 years. In 2000 she was declared a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. She was born in about 1869 in the western Sudanese region of Darfur; in the village of Olgossa, west of Nyala and close to Mount … [Read more...]
The Quick Facts of Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a global problem and one of the world's most shameful crimes, affecting the lives of millions of people around the world and robbing them of their dignity. Traffickers deceive women, men and children from all corners of the world and force them into exploitative situations every day. While the best-known form of human trafficking is for the purpose of sexual exploitation, hundreds of thousands of victims are trafficked for the purposes of forced labour, domestic servitude, … [Read more...]
How Safe Are Your Children from Human Trafficking?
Warning: This post is one of the most important we’ve ever featured, but it isn’t the easiest to read. Anti-human trafficking advocate, Deirdre Flynn, interviewed Holly Smith, a survivor and author, about her experience as a victim of the sex industry. The story is below. Envy is often what makes our children vulnerable to predators. Pimps and slavers promote discontent. They fill immature minds with dreams of the exciting and glamorous life others are living. A life that has been out of … [Read more...]
Anti-Slavery Day celebrated, creating awareness OCT 18
People with slaves? They don't know how to behave, so let's demonstrate ... Anti Slavery Day 18 October 2014 What do you think when you hear Anti Slavery Day? That slavery is something of the past? It should be, yet it's still rife in many parts of the world. Slavery has existed almost as long as human beings themselves, having been recorded as far back as the fifth century BC. Many people were treated as dogs - locked in chains around their hands, feet and even their necks. … [Read more...]
Child Prostitution, 2014 World Cup’s Darkest Side
Amid the events surrounding the 2014 World Cup showcasing Brazil's dynamic culture, food and other assets, and the memorable plays on the soccer field, with perhaps the best so far being Robin Van Persie's masterful header against Spain on the second day of play, there's a 'dark side': deep-rooted problems simmering just below the surface in South America's largest country with child prostitution an especially grim reminder that all is not football and Carnival. In the first decade of the … [Read more...]
Global Human Trafficking, a Modern form of Slavery
Steve McQueen, director of this year’s Oscar winner for best film “12 Years A Slave,” mentioned in his acceptance speech last month that 21 million people are living in slavery today. That quoted figure comes from the 2012 report issued by the United Nation’s International Labor Organization (ILO) that has been attempting to gather international data for over a decade now. In the Asia-Pacific region where most of the world’s forced laborers come from at 56%, an estimated 11.7 million people, … [Read more...]
Task Force on Trafficking of Women and Girls in Canada
Trafficking of girls and women is illegal, a human rights violation and an extreme form of violence against women. The solutions to end sex trafficking of girls and women are intrinsically linked to all of our key priorities: helping women transition out of poverty; ending violence against women; building strong, resilient girls; and public education and advocacy. The Canadian Women's Foundation is investing nearly $2 million over three years to provide funding to organizations, conduct … [Read more...]
Stop Child Trafficking In The U.S.
Human traffickers prey on abused or neglected young people. State child welfare systems are doing what they can to help, but far too often many of these victims are falling through the cracks. Change is needed. That's why the bipartisan Strengthening the Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act has been put in motion by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. If approved, these laws would make it easier to aid trafficking victims and help put an end to the horrific practice … [Read more...]
Ending the Trafficking of Women and Girls in Canada
I am thrilled to be the new President and CEO of the Canadian Women's Foundation. Since starting this position last month, I have traveled across the country meeting with our amazing board, donors, staff, grantees and volunteers. It is clear to me why the Foundation has succeeded all these years - through your endless support. I am moved by your enthusiasm and dedication, which has fueled my passion and commitment to helping Canadian women and girls. People are very excited about … [Read more...]