STOP! Task Force
(Stop Trafficking of Humans)

Human Trafficking:

When we hear the world "slavery" we automatically think that it is an issue of the past. After all, that is what we were taught in history class at school, right? There was a big war, Lincoln signed a document, and then like magic slavery ended. Why would it even cross our mind that it still exists today? And if it does exist today, it's definitely not in America, so why should we as Americans worry about it?

The truth is, there are currently 27 million slaves worldwide and that number is rapidly increasing. There are more people enslaved today than ever before. As if that statement wasn't disturbing enough, it most definitely happens not only in America, but in Buffalo, New York as well. That's right, it is happening here in our own backyard.

This reality is very overwhelming. Next to drug trafficking, human trafficking is the second largest illegal money maker in the world. The industry brings in over 32 billion dollars annually. What makes this even more disconcerting is the fact that children as young as 3 years old are being sold for sex.

There are many ways and reasons as to why people are trafficked. The tactics traffickers use vary and are creative. Some are kidnapped, others are promised education or high paying jobs in far away cities, and others are sold to traffickers due to extreme poverty. Where poverty is high, so is the opportunity for trafficking. This raises the demand of trafficking which opens the market to traffickers; until the level of poverty decreases, human trafficking will still occur.

The good news is that there is HOPE! Awareness sparks action. The more people become aware, the more they will do to help. As the truth reveals itself, people will feel compelled to rise and take a stand against trafficking.

The issue of human trafficking is our problem, and it is our responsibility to raise awareness of this issue. Slavery will not be abolished overnight. It will take a collective effort from Eastern Hills Church and the community to take a stand against slavery and to fight for those who can't fight for themselves. With our help, the youth, the potential, and the opportunities stripped from the victims can be restored.

Two hundred years of pretending slavery doesn't exist anymore can end forever. It is time to act!