VOICE : Victims of Injustice, Corruption and Exploitation (Giving a voice to the voiceless.)
"All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." ~Edmund Burke
These are powerful words that should convict all of us to actively pursue justice and to be the voice for those who are voiceless. We have an obligation to fight for those who are being oppressed by their oppressor; it is the objective of VOICE to do just that
Currently, in the year 2011, there are more people enslaved than any other time in history. A total of 26 million people, majority being women and children, are held against their will. In the country of Cambodia there is a place called the "Chicken Farm" where infants are sold by human trafficking rings and ultimately are bought and sold to brothels. Beijing, China infants are sold at the night market, girls go for $25 and boys go for $50. Here are some additional statistics about human trafficking courtesy of the US State Department:
• Worldwide, there are nearly two million children in
the commercial sex trade. (UNICEF)
• There are an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 children, women and men
trafficked across international borders annually. (U.S. Department of State)
• Approximately 80 percent of human trafficking victims are women and
girls, and up to 50 percent are minors. (U.S. Department of State)
• The total market value of illicit human trafficking is
estimated to be in excess of $32 billion. (U.N.)
Now that you know, what can YOU do?
Here at Comstock Park High School, we have partnered with International Justice Mission (IJM) to help raise money to free people from such bondage. Last year we ran the Loose Change to Loosen Chains campaign to raise awareness and money to give to IJM and help them fight the evils of Human Trafficking. We were able to raise $514. Ironically, that exact number of people were freed from slavery at a brick factory in India a month after our donations (read more about the story).
Every February is our chosen Awareness month to educate people on the atrocities of Human Trafficking. Join us this February either by donating to Loose Change to Loosen Chains campaign or volunteering for the actual campaign to help organize the events. Remember, you have a VOICE. Let your VOICE be heard. Use your VOICE for the VOICELESS and do not let evil triumph.
Additional Links on Human Rights Violations:
Women at Risk International
International Justice Mission
International Center for Research on Women
Amnesty International
Human Rights Watch