“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
When people speak of Human Trafficking and Slaves, what we automatically think of is the past: Africans shipped to America as slaves, the injustice between races and the wars that have accompanied the struggle for equality in law and society. We are not aware that injustice and slavery is flourishing today more than ever. With more than 27 Million people being held and trafficked as slaves, especially the sex industry profits from poverty and ignorance all over the world.
In Europe, the key source of young girls for trafficking is the Ukraine. Living in poverty and with poor education, girls are eager to take good job opportunities to make a living and help their families. Traffickers promise for example a housekeepers or child-minders position somewhere within the European Union and bring the young women mostly first into Greece, where their documents are taken away they are held without their consent, beaten, threatened and raped to break their spirit and force them to obedience and service.
From there on, the girls are constantly being trafficked and forced to service up to 40 – 110 customers a day, while physical and emotional abuse, malnutrition and sleep deprivation are all part of normal life.
In 2007, The A21 Campaign was founded, standing for Abolishing Injustice in the 21st Century. In 2008 they opened their first shelter and transition home in Thessaloniki, Greece. Here it is possible to provide trafficked victims with a safe, loving, and comforting environment, access to medical care and psychological assessment, vocational training, assistance in university education, life guidance and counseling, and access to legal assistance.
Victims are being represented during criminal proceedings, should they choose to testify, and there have been progressive steps in prosecuting traffickers.
The team works closely with police, hospitals, and government officials. Each month victims are rescued and can see justice done with the legal counsel provided by The A21 Campaign. Victims are being represented during criminal proceedings, should they choose to testify, and there have been progressive steps in prosecuting traffickers. The legal team is committed to strengthening legal responses to trafficking – assisting and encouraging justice systems to enforce the stipulations and sentences set out in national and regional laws regarding the crime of human trafficking.
In 2011 a shelter was opened in Ukraine and 2012 another in Bulgaria. Not only are women taken in and cared for, but relationships are built and tours in orphanages and schools are made to educate the affected groups about the risk of being trafficked.
Spreading awareness of the reality of human trafficking is part of The A21 Campaign’s agenda. Within the frame of the International Anti – Slavery Day on 18. October, The A21 Campaign has their own initiation called “Key2Free” to spread awareness about modern day slavery. Here anyone can join in with their strengths, skills, ideas and abilities to do something out of the ordinary to catch peoples’ eyes and ears, and to share the cause.
It seems overwhelming, but ask yourself this:
What can I do?
Got an idea?
Then do it.
Facts and information are taken from the The A21 Campaign website. For more information, visit the website, or contact Josefine Stahl.