movement, movement

Human Trafficking

Posted in charity, links by amoslanka on June 12, 2008

  • Human trafficking is the world’s third largest criminal enterprise, after drugs and weapons. (U.S. Department of State)
  • Worldwide, there are nearly two million children in the commercial sex trade. (UNICEF)
  • There are an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 children, women and men trafficked across international borders annually. (U.S. Department of State)
  • Approximately 80 percent of human trafficking victims are women and girls, and up to 50 percent are minors. (U.S. Department of State)
  • The total market value of illicit human trafficking is estimated to be in excess of $32 billion. (U.N.)
  • Sex trafficking is an engine of the global AIDS epidemic. (U.S. Department of State)

    • (* The preceding stats are from International Justice Mission)

    There’s a lot on this issue that I’m not terribly well versed at. The most I can hope for is to call more attention to its presence, especially as I let the reality presented by the stats above set in.

    I got to know a fella by the name of Greg Althoff and his wife Janelle shortly before I moved out of Colorado. Both are very talented artists (graphic design and photography, respectively) and have a heart for the reality of human trafficking that is particularly present in southeast asia.

    Greg and Janelle returned on Tuesday from a three week trip to Cambodia where they are working on a video project to help bring attention to the need. It was a pleasure for me to chat with them (though quite limited by a limited internet connection) on a couple occasions during their trip. In the agenda for the future is addional trips back to Cambodia as well as other parts of the world affected by human trafficking.

    Please visit the Althoff’s blog for more information on their specific mission, as well as the following websites: 

    HumanTrafficking.org
    Daughters of Cambodia
    International Justice Mission
    Gov Net
    Wikipedia Info
    Love 146
    Free the Slaves: Kevin Bales

    UPDATE: A friend on myspace pointed me towards this website as another resource, and one particularly dealing with child prostitution within the US.

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    5 comments

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    1. jeremy said, on June 13, 2008 at 1:23 am

      i’ve got some friends that are kayaking down the mississippi right now.
      they partnered with IJM to raise money that will be used in sex trafficking cases.
      they started in minneapolis and are finishing in new orleans.
      check them out…. upstreambattle.blogspot.com

      Reply
    2. ash said, on June 13, 2008 at 6:43 am

      i’m glad i got linked up to their site and i love that youre bringing awareness to it. it has really got me thinking more and more about what humanitarian need (refugees) i have a heart for….and what more i would like to incorporate the corresponding aid into my life. i think they are and will do amazing things in assisting this cause. thx

      Reply
    3. protesting in front of the church « subversivechurch said, on June 13, 2008 at 10:55 am

      [...] the same amount be raised to help the 2 million kids in the international sex slave market?” Amos Lanka has a good post and link about the human trafficking market and I have to give him credit for what [...]

      Reply
    4. Thoughts From This Week « movement, movement said, on June 16, 2008 at 12:54 am

      [...] Stop ignoring this [...]

      Reply
    5. Human Trafficking « behind the smiles said, on September 15, 2008 at 10:52 pm

      [...] amos, posted a blog back in June on Human Trafficking that caught my attention. (Check the blog out HERE.) I have known of Human Trafficking for about a year and a half now, first finding out about it [...]

      Reply

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