Rotary works to end human trafficking
Local school students will learn how to fight human trafficking when local Rotarians host the Global Connections International (GCI) Human Trafficking Trailer at Marlin High School on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Human trafficking - essentially the buying and selling of human beings - is the fastest growing illegal enterprise in the world, generating more than $152 billion per year ($9.8 billion in the U.S.).
“There are more than 40 million human trafficking victims worldwide with approximately two million in the United States,” Global Connections International President and CEO Jim Weber said. “Approximately 500,000 children are sold for sex repeatedly each year in the U.S., with 12-14 year-olds being a largely targeted group.”
Victims can be lured into trafficking using promises, psychological manipulations, provision or drugs and alcohol, and violence, often using social media and the internet to identify and research victims.
“Human slavery exists in every community in Central Texas,” Rotary District 5870 Governor Beverly Luedke said. “Whether it is against adult labor or youth sex trafficking, I cannot think of a better group than Rotarians to carry the banner to fight this human injustice. We in District 5870 can and will make a difference.”
Weber implores people to talk with each other to educate and empower in the fight to end human trafficking within their own communities. Public events and the mobile education experience are designed to raise awareness and offer tools for prevention to everyday people.
Rotary Club of Marlin is working to bring awareness to human trafficking to the forefront.
“We want to encourage everyday people to get involved in this fight within your own communities and we’re currently helping protect America’s families by exposing millions of everyday people to the signs of human trafficking here in the U.S.,” Weber said.
The End Human Trafficking mobile education experience provides the much-needed, substantive human trafficking awareness and prevention information.