Slavery Is Not Dead

Photo: Kay Chemush for U.S. State Dept.



A woman, now 58, relates how she was kidnapped at the age of 13 as she and a friend hitchhiked across Illinois. They were taken to a house in Missouri and forced into prostitution. She doesn't recall how she escaped, but she kept her secret for many years for fear of being labeled a “bad girl” by friends and family at the time.

Another story comes to light of a girl on a outing to a mall with other young girls she met on the internet. The girls were the bait the criminal used to entice her into the meeting. She was grabbed and taken to a house where she was raped and beaten until she succumbed to submission. She was later rescued and lived to tell her story.

One of the dark stains against humanity all over the world is slavery. Every year billions of dollars are generated by perpetrators through abducting, coercing, and selling millions of people, mostly women and children. It is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world.

This epidemic is a major curve we need to navigate as a society.

This is not a crime exclusive to poorer countries. It happens every day in the United States, as well.

Don't let the staggering statistics lull you into thinking nothing can be done. Every person who is helped is one less victim criminals have control over. That one person will be grateful someone was willing to reach out.

I urge you to read the information on the added page of this site and find out more. There are links with information on rescuing and restoring those who have been trapped.

Do you have a story or have you met a victim? Please share your comment.