International Development - Human Trafficking

 
 

Human Trafficking
Please call our 24-hour confidential Referral Helpline on 0300 3038151 available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Facts

Trafficking is a global issue that affects us all. It is estimated that over 2,000,000 people are trafficked annually across international borders. It affects men and women, but around 50% of all victims are children.

  • 12,000 children have been trafficked to become slaves on cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast of Africa where more than half of all the chocolate we eat comes from.
  • 30,000 Sri Lankan boys are used by Western and European paedophile sex tourists in Sri Lanka.
  • 55,000 women and children are sex slaves in Cambodia.
  • 27 million people are living in slavery around the world today.
     

But

Human Trafficking is not just a problem in other countries. Slavery exists in our own, comfortable, local communities here in the UK. For the last five years, The Salvation Army has practical direct experience in supporting women who have been trafficked into the UK for sexual purposes, providing accommodation, care and support in a confidential client-based service which addresses the needs of a very vulnerable group.

 

Fuelled by a depraved market for exploiting sexual fantasy, our greedy desire to get everything we want at the cheapest prices and industrial practice that forces vulnerable people to work for little or no pay – trafficking is thriving in our own back yards.

  • Over 1200 women are trafficked from Lithuania annually, mostly to the UK
  • More than 5000 children are being forced to work as sex slaves in the UK
  • Girls trafficked to the UK for prostitution are in some cases, forced to see up to 30 to 40 clients a day
  • 300,000 people are trafficked within the EU every year.

 

We need you to TAKE ACTION

There are three main ways you can help to stop people being bought and sold.

1. Raise Awareness

Raising Awareness means sharing information with your family, friends, neighbours, work, school or anyone that will listen. Education in source and destination countries prevents trafficking and can bring freedom.

2. Raise Funds

Raising Funds really makes a difference. Money is what motivates the traffickers and money can make a massive difference to prevention and rescue, to protecting the vulnerable and providing for victims. Money has already made a positive difference all around the world. With your support, The Salvation Army can continue to fight this evil on the frontlines and continue to pioneer new projects.

3. Raise your Voice

Raising Your Voice means speaking out for those that are voiceless, signing petitions, protesting against injustice, writing letters to leaders to change policy and improve care provision, praying passionately and speaking to anyone who will listen to you speak about the issue.