in the news...

human trafficking news across America:

http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/041509kvue-HumanTrafficking-eh.d8efabbd.html


http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/crime/crime_krqe_albuquerque_experts_target_youngsters_in_sex_trade_2009041420400


http://claremontportside.com/index.php?/20090413236/International/Modern-Day-Slavery.html


http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/laworder/story/E0CC4539E4E174A486257597005AD3AB?OpenDocument


http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=483924


http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/2_Charged_with_Underage_Sex_Trafficking_041609


http://www.thedailyaztec.com/city/eye-on-illegal-traffic-1.1715013


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/04/my-entry-1.html



Feels so unreal...Researching and reading articles like these opens my eyes to see the reality of what is happening around us, even in the land of the free. I am continually shocked at what I learn on a daily basis through IJM of what is happening in the realm of human trafficking across the globe and always caught without words to see what is happening only a few streets away from me.

Most likely, girls and boys are being trafficked and sold for sex in a city near you. Did you know this? I know this question gets tiresome at times, but how can we, normal everday people, aid in the fight against this injustice? How would you want someone to respond if this was your niece or your daughter who found themselves in this situation?

I recently attended an anti-trafficking forum put on by World Hope International, a wonderful organization that is doing great relief and development work all over the world. Obviously, this problem is very complex. It is overwhelming to see the multiple factors that play critical roles in this type of organized crime and thus make it very difficult for me to even begin to see how I can play a part in advocating for the victims. The forum brought together professionals in this field and concerned citizens to brainstorm innovative ways to fight human trafficking. I attended a couple of breakout sessions, one entitled "The Role Men Play in Sex-Trafficking" and one centering on research in Cambodia on sex tourism and the part pornography plays. [i wanted to run out of the room during this session, it was utterly terrifying]

A lot to digest, but I do have to say that in the midst of what is a very sad and unsettling situation, I do see hope. God's people are doing something and it's exciting to see those in bondage being set free.

If you want to learn more about human trafficking, let me know-- (emmaleeseybert@gmail.com)-- I, personally, am just learning, but I can email you about some great organizations that will offer you much more information.