“Humanity is not for sale”

Salvation Army participates in multi-agency workshop on human trafficking.

by Robert Brennan –

Committed to shedding light on the issue of human trafficking, The Salvation Army in Southern California participated in a multi-agency interactive workshop—“Humanity is Not For Sale”—this summer in Los Angeles. In association with the Rescue and Restore Unity Coalition of Southern California, which includes such groups as: Downtown Women’s Center, National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles, and the Mary Magdalene Project, The Salvation Army raised funds and awareness in the downtown community.

Human trafficking occurs when vulnerable men, women, and children are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex or forced labor. Though the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (2000) made human trafficking a federal crime, the problem persists. According to the U.S. Department of State, approximately 600,000 to 800,000 victims are trafficked worldwide across international borders each year. An alarming 14,500 to 17,500 of those victims are being trafficked annually into the United States.

During “Humanity is Not For Sale,” guest speakers reached out to possible victims of human trafficking. Workshops educated those who wanted to become more involved in solving this problem, teaching them how to recognize possible trafficking activity, and what steps are necessary to help victims. A family friendly public education fair dispensed important information and enabled vital contacts to be made in the cause of stopping human trafficking.

For more information, visit salvationarmyusa.org/trafficking.