%AM, %25 %541 %2010 %11:%Jan

National Human Traffiking Awareness Day

Written by Katherine Eckelberry
Rate this item
(0 votes)

 The Fight Against Human Trafficking

Human Traffiking is Modern Day SlaveryIn recognition of Nation Human Trafficking awareness day, on January 11th, St. Petersburg College hosted a “Stop Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking” event at their Seminole campus. With speakers including Marc Klaas, founder of the KlaasKids Foundation – dedicated to protecting our children, and former adult film actress Diana, aka “Desi Foxx,” who spoke about the correlations between pornography and sex trafficking, and ending with a candlelight vigil, it was moving to see people and groups passionate about the issue working together to rid society of this evil.

The facts were astounding: human trafficking rakes in an estimated $32 billion each year, with approximately two million victims being trafficked in the United States and over twenty-seven million victims worldwide. Eighty percent of them are women and children.

The other astounding thing is the extent of criminality in the adult industry. Watching people like Tila Tiquila, and shows like "The Girls Next Door," pornography begins to seem normal. But according to Diana, vulnerable young girls are recruited into the adult film business, then, in her own words, "Once they get the girl to the city she's been recruited to, they have already started a tab, a debt roll, which she has to pay off before she can leave – or so they tell her. Everything they've spent to get her there, they put on this tab that she's unaware of." Paying this “debt” may involve prostitution, even being trafficked across state and international borders.

In view of all this, the question becomes: what can we do to help? There are many answers, beginning with being aware of and reporting certain signs: the presence of an overly controlling or abusive male figure, heavy traffic in and out of hotel rooms, fear or inability to make eye contact, young girls with excessive amounts of cash, among others, may be signs of prostitution or trafficking.

You can also get involved in your local community. Donate time or money to groups such as the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, the KlaasKids Foundation, and Youth for Human Rights Florida. You can start by spreading awareness of the issue among your friends and family.
 
To learn more about this issue, visit www.stophumantrafficking.org. For more information about Diana and her experiences in the adult industry, visit www.desidivine.com. To learn more about your Human Rights, visit www.youthforhumanrights.org.

Read 3663 times Last modified on %PM, %25 %541 %2010 %12:%Jan

Community News

Hands Across the Sand Spreads Message "Love Tourists, Not Drilling"
Hands Across the Sand, a statewide, peaceful protest against offshore…
NASA's WISE Telescope Returns Images and More Information from Our Universe
As technology progresses, we are able to know more about…
To Haiti with Love: Hometown Help for Haiti
On January 12th, at approximately 5:00 in the afternoon, the…
East-West Shrine Game Players Visit Shriners Hospital for Children
On January 17th, more than 100 of the nation’s finest…
Building a Better World with Education
The world has changed over the last 20 years. Jobs…
Green Car Detailing
Traditionally, auto detailing has employed a range of not-so-green-friendly products…
NASA Discovery: Moon Holds Water
Scientists have long speculated about significant quantities of hydrogen detected…
Tampa Teens Pledge Not to Text and Drive
Nearly 300 teenagers from Tampa Bay Technical High School made…
Hyenas - The Hunted Predator
Among the most intelligent animals on Earth, three species of…