Will you be their voice?

Is slavery still around today? This is a question that I never thought to ask. Slavery was abolished right? Who would take a human being in this day and age and make them a slave? But slavery is still present! And it's also right here in America.

Then there were 13 million slaves. Today, there are now 27 million people in slavery.

 I found a lot of eye opening statistics and facts at Love146 where they are dedicated to abolishing sex trafficking where young children are sold into slavery for their bodies.

"Then, slaves were thought of as highly valuable means of production. The average slave sold for somewhere between $50,000 and $100,000 (in today's currency). Owners viewed slaves as considerable economic investments, worth the money because of the work they would perform and the income they would help produce; highly valuable, long-term investments.. Today, slaves are considered cheap and expendable. On average, a slave can be purchased for less than $200. When their usefulness is gone, they are either released or killed. Their vacant slot is simply replaced with another slave. They are viewed as disposable."

 This breaks my heart. Young children sold into slavery and viewed as disposable!? They are children. Precious beautiful children! Children that God made in His image. But they are being treated as disposable items worth little.

 "If it doesn't break your heart, it isn't love." -Jon Foreman

 Hearing about sex trafficking and what happens to these kids breaks my heart! Right here in America, there are at least 300,000 children at risk for commercial sexual exploitation. Here, right at our home, in our neighborhoods, cities, there are children being taken advantage of and being used as commodities.

 80% of people trafficked are female. 1/2 are minors. (US dep state)

 1.2 million children are estimated to be trafficked around the world every year. (US dep state)

 The average age of a U.S. trafficked child is 12-14 years old. (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)

 These are real numbers. Real faces. Real people. And this is what really scares me. The internet has become the new marketplace for trafficking children.

AT any given time, 50,000 predators are prowling for children on the internet. (US Attorney General) 

"The modern-day slave auction is electronic, wherein local pimps ca examine and purchase, via email, women and girls from wholesaler in other countries and where retail customers can order up the prostate of their choice." -Moises Naim

 It is hard to look at these numbers and to see these statistics. It should horrify you and break your heart. But it should also fill you with love. I will not be silent. I will not hide the shame of these girls. I will be a voice for them. Will you? Go to Love146 to find more.

 Don't be silent. Cry out for justice for these precious children. Be their voice.

 "The vitality of thought is an adventure. Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about them. -Alfred North Whitehead

 I pray that this would land hard on your hearts. I pray that you would do something for these girls. I hope you will be a voice for them! ~Lily