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New York City
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News from the New York City Team
If you are passionate about social justice, then you have probably at least heard of the issue of human trafficking and slavery. The fact this topic is widely spoken of means that those desiring human trafficking awareness are doing their jobs, but there is so much more to do. This issue is a very real, very present issue in our world today. Whether or not you are currently passionate about social justice or fighting human trafficking, keep reading.
According to Polaris Project, “Human trafficking is the modern day practice of slavery. Also known as trafficking in persons, human trafficking comprises the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, based on the recruitment, harboring, and transportation of people solely for the purpose of exploitation.”
Human trafficking is a problem not just internationally, but nationally as well. GEMS and RestoreNYC are two local organizations who are working to fight human trafficking and to help those who have been victimized. GEMS is “the nation’s largest non-profit organization specifically designed to empower American girls and young women, ages 12-21, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential.” RestoreNYC was “founded in 2004 to provide services for internationally sex trafficked women in New York City. RestoreNYC aims to “provide safe housing and specialized legal, medical and employment services, as well as optional spiritual activities.” These are two great organizations doing some great things to help victims locally, but this is also not just an issue in NYC. Human slavery may be happening in your city as well. Please help fight it.
Did you know…
- Over 1.2 million children are trafficked annually. (Love146.org)
- It is estimated that trafficking generates $32 billion annually. (Love146.org) This puts human trafficking in the top three black market global industries, along with drug trafficking and arms dealing.
- Over 100,000 U.S. children are forcefully engaged in prostitution each year. (Love146.org)
- In 2004, the U.S. Department of Justice estimated that between 14,500 and 17,500 men, women and children are trafficked into the United States every year. (gems-girls.org/ganfs/home)
- About 80% of trafficking victims are female and 40-66% of those trafficked into the U.S. come from Asia and the Pacific Rim. (gems-girls.org/ganfs/home)
These statistics and this issue are heartbreaking. This is overwhelming, but let me encourage and remind you of a few things. There is HOPE and we can do something to help. What will you do?
How to help…
- Learn: Educate yourselves on this issue and share your knowledge with others.
- Give: Donate to one of the many organizations who are seeking to fight trafficking. (see below)
- Pray: Pray for all those in our world and country who are coming out of a life of abuse and slavery. Pray for those who are still living this life. Pray for the organizations and people who are fighting human slavery. Pray.
- Tracee Henneke, CSM New York City Co-City Director
Resources
Websites/Books/Movies
- Love146.org
- HumanTrafficking.org
- The Not For Sale Campaign
- Polaris Project
- StopSexTrafficking.com
- Not For Sale (book by David Batstone)
- Fields of Mudan (movie)
- Playground (documentary)
- Human Trafficking (movie)
- Trade (movie)
New York Specific Resources:
Domestic Safe Houses:
- Hope House (Asheville, NC)
- Amirah (Boston, MA)
- Freedom House (San Francisco, CA)
- Angela’s House (Atlanta, GA)
Local Resources
- New York Anti-Trafficking Coalition
- NY Times Topics: Human Trafficking
- NY Times: Immigration Explorer
- Become a Facebook fan of CSM New York!
Local News Links
- For Haitian, Mission Is to Mend Fences With Diaspora and Streamline Aid March 11, 2010
- Local Stop: Bryant Park (photo tour)
- The Cultural Tides of Far Rockaway (video) March 8, 2010
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