Child trafficking 2.1%

Child exploitation 1.9%

Modern day slavery 2.1%

Fighting Against Child Trafficking: How People And Groups Are Making A Difference

Stop Child Trafficking Now, or SCTNow, continues to raise awareness about the issue of child trafficking. As more people are becoming aware of this global tragedy, more individuals and organizations are banding together to put an end to modern day slavery.  Though their methods vary, individuals and organizations around the world are engaging in the fight against trafficking—some in more extreme ways than others. 

BACA Rides To End Child Exploitation

Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) exists to unite bikers for the cause of providing safer environments for child abuse victims. While the organization itself does not condone the use of physical force or violence, the members of the group stand ready to be an obstacle between a victim and an abuser if need be. BACA members have even gone to the extreme of making appearances in a courtroom in order to help children feel less intimidated by offenders.

Their appearance in 2009 at the SCTNow walk campaigns definitely made others take notice of what was happening. BACA partnered together with SCTNow in order to help bring an end to child trafficking. Instead of just walking through the city, numerous bikers hopped on their motorcycles to bring appropriate attention to the event to end modern day slavery. Their participation made a bold statement throughout the child trafficking industry and brought even more awareness to the issue of child exploitation.

Truckers: Front-line Defenders Trying To Stop Child Trafficking

Motorcyclists are not the only ones using their vehicles to try to bring an end to child trafficking throughout the United States. The trucking industry has also joined the fight against child exploitation. In an effort to help truckers who wish to end trafficking within their industry, the NGO Truckers Against Trafficking organize free educational webinars for drivers, truck stop workers, and other individuals in the trucking industry. The purpose of these programs is to educate workers about human trafficking and how to recognize it, in the hopes that more people will report trafficking taking place.

Another movement dedicated to educating the trucking industry about child trafficking is the Truckers Against Trafficking Campaign. This outreach program was created by Chapter 61 Ministries. The main goal of this project is to ask truckers and trucking companies to participate in ways to stop human trafficking in truck stops, gas stations, rest stops or any other place they might witness a trafficking situation. Both organizations strongly believe as more drivers join the fight against modern day slavery, criminals transporting trafficked children are less successful capturing and shipping victims, be it day or night.

Fighting Modern Day Slavery By Running 500 Miles In Chains

For one individual, participating in a walk to fight modern day slavery was not enough. Instead, Eric Proffitt set aside his music career in order to bring awareness to child exploitation going on around the world.

In response to this epidemic, Proffitt decided to take up a challenge of his own in order to raise money and bring awareness to modern day slavery. He put on chains that wrapped around his neck, wrists and ankles representing the chains of those victims of child trafficking. Proffitt then set out a plan to run 500 miles while wearing the chains that began August 1, 2009; wearing awareness t-shirts adorning the Stop Child Trafficking Now logo, passing out pamphlets, informational materials, and urging people to learn more about modern day slavery. The journey was completed in 42 days across two continents. He ran through the city streets of Canada, the District of Columbia, Delaware, and New Jersey, ending his journey in New York City. 

Join The Fight To Stop Modern Day Slavery

Stop Child Trafficking Now applauds the efforts of these individuals and organizations helping bring an end to child exploitation. Not everyone can go to such extreme measures to stop modern day slavery. The most important aspect of ending this problem is bringing more awareness to the issue. One way that many have chosen to be involved in fighting child trafficking is by participating in the SCTNow walk that is planned in more than 35 cities around the world for the weekend of October 2 to October 3, 2010. Even those that can't make it to one of the cities listed can join the SCTNow virtual walk or start a walk in their own community to raise awareness of child exploitation. Please visit the SCTNow.org website for more information on how to get involved in your own community.