Building Awareness About Human Trafficking

Imagine a 13 year old girl, we'll call Jen, heading over to a fast food restaurant. As she walks in, a attractive young man opens the door for her. She notices his friendly eyes and beautiful smile. He notices her embarrassment and timid smile. She orders and sits to wait for a friend. He orders and sits near her. He glances her way repeatedly. "Are waiting for your boyfriend?" He queries. She flushes. "He shouldn't leave you by yourself you know." He winks. She flushes a deeper pink. She is effected. Her eyes down. "I am waiting for my friend." Soon he is sitting next to her, by the time her best friend, also 13 years old, arrives they are the best of friends. She is excited for her friend that this older boy is talking to her. She would love to have a boyfriend. They sit and talk for awhile and then the girls realize they need to get home. Prince Charming invites them to a party. They can't come their parents would never allow it. He completely understands he wouldn't want his little sister going to a party either, he just didn't realize they were so young. Maybe some other time. He watches their disappointment. "You know," he says, "maybe I could meet your mom or dad, he smiles sincerely at Jen, then they would feel better about your coming to my party." They hesitate. He notices their eyes light up. "How about I drive you home. Since you told me your mom is at home making dinner you can introduce me." They hesitate then agree. They aren't babies. And he so nice. (To be continued...)

Chosen for what they could produce.

   

Slave Labor in the 19th century

Slave Labor in the 21st century

The Human Trafficking is everywhere. Trafficking is nothing more than a polite word for slavery. Most people would agree that it wrong to sell someone or use them to line your wallet. However, most people are unaware that there are more enslaved people now than ever before; as in ever before in all of history. On my way to the airport recently I had a stimulating conversation with open minded intelligent business people. It gave me hope. Some who did not know about trafficking are willing ask questions and learn. One gentleman works in the fight to end genocide.

The Modern Day TRUTH

Fill the stable to fill the demand for sex with minors.

They pay more for younger girls.

Our conversation focused on Sex Trafficking. They asked how these women and children were taken? What is being done to END SLAVERY?  I will address this in a minute. They were shocked to learn that there is a spike during the Super Bowl and other large sporting events. What I mean by a spike is that traffickers work harder before an event to fill their stables. Then they prep their victims, rent rooms, and make appointments. This is big business. Supply and demand. The supply is easy. The demand is growing.

Average age of entry is 14.
Average life span in business 7 years.

Back to our story.... Neither girl makes it home. They'll be groomed and taken to the Super Bowl to pawed and fondled. And worse. There are a l,000's similar stories like this in America. Many different scenarios. Over 100,000 kids a year here in America. Then there are slaves brought here from other countries to work in labor and/or sex businesses. Statistics vary but there are around 36 million slaves in the world. This statistic includes sex and labor (little or no pay) trafficking.

Shared Hope International, Polaris Project, IJM or International Justice Mission, and many more are working on Prevention, Rescue, Recovery, and fighting in court for better laws.

Sharing my blog, putting the Human Trafficking Hotline in your phone 1-888-373-7888, learning how to spot trafficking, talking to other people and directing them to these resources are all great ways to start becoming involved. Please join modern day freedom fighters, also known as abolitionists, to fight modern day slavery. You can also leave a question or comment below.  

North County Abolitionists Paso Robles, California

Breaking news: North County Abolitionists of Paso Robles, California has a Facebook Page now. We are Partnering with Mountainbrook Aboltionists of San Luis Obispo County. They are an Anti-Human Trafficking Community Task Force bringing awareness to the public & taking action against modern-day slavery. 


Here is an example of our posts:

Hi NORTH CO. ABOLITIONISTS! 
Glad to hear that you have a FB presence! I've been an Abolitionists since 2004, and jointed with Mountainbrook Abolitionists ("MbA") last year! I'm wondering if you would be interested in posting about the MbA 2015 "JUSTICE SUMMIT." We now are accepting registrations. 
Please considering posting this link: 
http://l.facebook.com/l/bAQH7ck9NAQGKL2kfP7b8WSN6y5qBrJMxC8QJBlXKJz0nQw/mbabolitionists.org/2015-speakers/ Amy-Lynne Hilderbrand

Every effort we make to get the word out is a step forward. Saving Lives is what it's all about. Education is the only way we will progress through the jungle of people busy lives. Teaching that human trafficking exists is not enough, we need to educate and encourage individuals who are asking questions like what is a Modern Day Abolitionist? What is labor trafficking? What is Modern day Slavery? What is sex trafficking? What can I do about it? How does it effect me? What is Fair-Trade?  The questions are endless. We need people asking them and we need to be answering them. 

Think of someone who is being Trafficked as a child in a burning house.   If you knew you could save them would you??? I think most of us wouldn't hesitate. If we ban together we can make a real difference for hundreds, thousands, or even millions of innocent lives being destroyed by countless predators, who for selfish reasons choose to force other humans, mostly women and children into forced the labor and sex trade industry. Organizations like Shared Hope International and The Polaris Project are already out there fighting to save lives.
  


Please click the >>>link<<< and like our page and then share and spread the word. Together we can do much. Questions and comments welcomed. Thank you.

AMERICA the Movie and Human Trafficking

America, the movie, produced by Gerald Molen, the Academy-award winning producer of Schindler's List,and Dinesh D'Souza, the creator of 2016: Obama's America and writer/director of America, along with writer/director John Sullivan. In the movie America: Where Would We Be Without Her; they take you on journey through America's history. They shed light on our now rewritten history after detailing what modern day critics have to say about us, the people of America.

                                                                              

Why talk about this controversial film?

Slavery is one of America's scars. We are branded with it. We are stained as the evil country that stole lives for financial gain. Are we guilty? Have we done anything to change or improve the status of ALL people? 
As a modern day abolitionist I seek justice. I seek freedom for all. I believe in the Constitution where our Founding Fathers wrote: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." (emphasis mine)

Our Founding Fathers also believed, "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." (emphasis mine) [these ends] are the unalienable Rights listed in the previous paragraph and [laying its foundation] is crucial to the promise made within the Constitution to work toward true freedom for all.

In other words when a government is not allowing any man, woman, or child, Life, Liberty, or the pursuit of Happiness. When they are not treating people as created equal. Something must be done to end the tyranny. So, they set up a foundation of hope to abolish injustices, in time, effecting Safety and Happiness.

Were there slaves? Yes, of course, we all know it. Did you know that the most feared plantation owner was, in fact, a freed slave? However, there were African American's such as Madam C. J. Walker who was not only the first free born in her family but was the first self-made woman millionaire and philanthropist in America. Also, during this time, there were English and Irish people who were brought over here by force and sold as indentured servants? As such, they had to work for their freedom for seven years, often this period was extended or they died before they were freed. At one point there were more of these trafficked people than there were African American slaves. The Civil War was fought to change this. The Civil Rights 
movement continued our fight to give all true liberty and justice.

A slow and painful fight to end slavery begins.

The fight continues....

Forced Labor or Sexual Exploitation, it is all wrong!

                                                                                                                                                         
We are not done. The fight must continue. Let us open our eyes to a new breed of slave owners. Traffickers and pimps are organized and deadly. While we go about the business of life. Working. Paying taxes, bills, and more taxes. Living. Getting by. Pimps are prowling around looking for our children. Around the world you can find more than 27 milllion men, women, and children enslaved for financial gain. Here in America the drug cartels figured out that, unlike guns and drugs, a woman, girl, or boy can used over and over. People are a better investment for them with larger profit margin. We have allowed our senses to become dull to the shock and horror of human trafficking. Here in America 100,000 (and growing) children are disappearing into a life of hell on earth. 

On the brighter side there are groups rising to fight this is travesty. Shared Hope International, MISSSEY, Polaris Project, International Justice Mission, Better Way Imports, and many more are taking a stand and fighting. Each of us is the key to making a change here in America and across the world. Open your eyes to the truth. Find something you can do to be a part of positive change. Become a Freedom Fighter! As General George Washington called out in the movie, America, "Hold the line!" And then let's push forward and change the world. Let us work today to END SLAVERY FOREVER!

           

Please contact me by leaving any of your questions or comments.

Boko Haram Kidnapped 276 Girls

                                                                                   
The kidnapping of close to 300 young girls has made the news. Everyone is weighing in on what should be done or not be done. Heads of governments make threats and promises. Parents weep and cry, for their children are in perilous danger. 

Boko Haram's arrogant and cocky proclamation to sell them is shocking to many. To many more, myself included, it is sick and twisted, but, it is not shocking. There are an estimated 27 million modern day slaves in the world. They work in fields, sweat shops, private homes, and in the sex industry. They are men and boys, women and girls.

According to Polaris Project there "is not one consistent face of trafficking victim.  Trafficked persons in the United States can be men or women, adults or children, foreign nationals or US citizens.  Some are well-educated, while others have no formal education.

While anyone can become a victim of trafficking, certain populations are especially vulnerable.  These may include: undocumented migrants; runaway and homeless youth; and oppressed, marginalized, and/or impoverished groups and individuals.  Traffickers specifically target individuals in these populations because they are vulnerable to recruitment tactics and methods of control.

Undocumented immigrants in the US are highly vulnerable due to a combination of factors, including: lack of legal status and protections, language barriers, limited employment options, poverty and immigration-related debts, and social isolation.  They are often victimized by traffickers from a similar ethnic or national background, on whom they may be dependent for employment or a means of support."

                                            

The spokesperson for Boko Haram spoke the truth when he said there is a market for selling young girls and it is a growing market. Aidan McQuade the Director of Anti-Slavery International said in his CNN interview when asked if selling these girls was even feasible, "I think it is feasible because it has been happening day in and day out for years..." (CNN video can be seen here.) 

It does not matter now for these girls, or their families, that this crime is on the rise or that it has been going on for years and years. What matters now for them, is the fight for survival. Those who are actively involved in working to end human trafficking will continue the fight. My hope is, that through this atrocity, more will wake up to the truth of modern day slavery and join freedom fighters everywhere by educating themselves, by praying, by donating their time and/or money to organizations in the fight to free slaves everywhere. 

What Is Modern Day Slavery?

What if I told you every 30 seconds someone becomes a victim of human trafficking? Would you be shocked? Would you want to join a new breed of abolitionists dedicating themselves to fighting for the freedom of over 27 million men, women, and children? Or would you recoil in disbelief asserting that you just can't hear of such atrocities?

So what is modern day slavery? The following definition comes from The Polaris Project website: Under U.S. federal law, “severe forms of trafficking in persons” includes both sex trafficking and labor trafficking:

• Sex trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purposes of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age, (22 USC § 7102; 8 CFR § 214.11(a)).  
• Labor trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery, (22 USC § 7102).  

Organizations like The Polaris Project, Shared Hope International, and International Justice Mission are only a few of the many organizations working to educate the public about modern day slavery while taking active steps to bring an end to this savagery. Still others are diligently getting the word out that there is something anyone can do right now to help. Donations?! Of course, but, anyone can begin to change there buying habits. If companies find out you won't buy their product because it is harvested or made by slaves they will change the way they do business. One fair-trade company Better Way Imports partners with 13 different companies marketing their beautiful handmade bags, jewelry, paper crafts, and clothing. Because it is fair-trade every person involved receives a fair wage. From the woman brought out of sex-trafficking who crafts it, to the Freedom Fighter who sells here in America. More on this, so stayed tuned.

UNTIL EVERYONE IS FREE

This is a difficult subject. It is easy to feel overwhelmed even paralyzed. Yet, there are very real ways to take action and make a difference. One small action at a time. Please share this with others and check out the organizations above. 
Learn more then...Activate! 

If you have any questions please leave a comment and I will get back to you.