The following is copied from an email my wife received from World Hope International, an organization that has been in the forefront of addressing this issue for many years. I include it to highlight the issue. I am wearing blue today too.
Human Trafficking Awareness Day – 1/11/11
Support & Celebrate Freedom – WEAR BLUE
By the end of 2011:
- 27 million people will be classified as enslaved*
- 1.2 million children will be sold into slavery**
The U.S. Department of State estimates that human trafficking and illegal arms dealing are tied as the world’s second largest criminal industry+-producing approximately $32 billion in annual revenue.1 It is also considered the fastest growing. +
In support of those exploited across the world and in our own backyards-14,500-17,000 people are trafficked into the U.S. each year+-World Hope International is encouraging everyone to WEAR BLUE, Tuesday, January 11, 2011, in observance of Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Help World Hope International celebrate freedom by spreading the word to WEAR BLUE in one of three easy ways:
1. FORWARD this email to your family and friends
2. POST a picture of yourself wearing blue to World Hope International’s
Anti-Trafficking Facebook page
3. TWEET about wearing blue.
Working to Stop Human Trafficking
World Hope International has long had a heart for the victims who’ve fallen prey to such atrocities as slavery, sexual servitude and the pirating of human organs, all of which fall under the definition of human trafficking. Over the years, World Hope International has:
- Housed and cared for over 500 girls rescued from Cambodian human
trafficking - Provided shelter for 500-600 women in Hong Kong each year since 2002
- Provided 250 trafficking survivors in Sierra Leone with direct care and
support, and launched 37 anti-trafficking community taskforces locally. - Provided 160 trafficking survivors in Liberia with direct care and support,
and launched 50 anti-trafficking community taskforces locally.
Your Donation Could Save Even More!
Visit WorldHope.org today to learn how you can aid World Hope International’s efforts to end human trafficking. All donations are tax deductible.
*Courtesy of Disposable People 8, (2004). **Statistics courtesy of “Child Trafficking.” UNICEF – Child Protection from Violence, Exploitation and Abuse. April 9, 2010. +Statistics courtesy of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Human Trafficking Fact Sheet. 1Courtesy of International Labour Organization’s ILO ACTION AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS (2008).
