Human Trafficking Bust in Barcelona August 10, 2013 People Trafficking Bust Exposes A Spain Trafficking Corridor Police report that dozens of suspected human traffickers are being held in Spain and France, suspected of smuggling Chinese migrants into Europe and United States. This is the second major human trafficking bust we have highlighted in ten days, indicating a greater degree of cooperation among officials in different countries. [button link=”http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23645369″ newwindow=”yes”] Read More From BBC News[/button] Related Article Detailing a Human Trafficking Bust In Europe… [button link=”http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21268573″ newwindow=”yes”] Europe Police Smash People Smuggling Ring[/button] REPORT: Human Trafficking In Georgia and Armenia May 3, 2013 “Our girls are being trafficked as we speak,” exclaimed a concerned citizen of Armenia working with an international NGO (one of the anti human trafficking organizations in Georgia) in Tbilisi. After 3 days of teaching in Georgia’s capital, I’ve had the privilege to meet participants from Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. Each one told me that sex trafficking has become a big problem in their nation and that very few people are doing anything about it. Poverty and Human Trafficking The common factor in each of these nations is poverty. Since men are more likely to get a job, women are marginalized and are at higher risk of being trafficked. Women are often abused and treated as lesser than men. These conditions are breeding grounds for human traffickers. [quote type=”center”] Our girls are being trafficked as we speak. [/quote] Human Trafficking for Sex Since both Georgia and Armenia have experienced stable governments in the past 5 years, tourism has increased. This safe environment has not only brought benefits to the nation’s economy, it has made these countries destinations for the sex trade. In the past, Georgia and Armenia were considered resource nations – sending their girls to places like Turkey, Russia and the Middle East. Today, they are open countries with underground brothels starting up regularly year after year. Human Trafficking in Armenia and Georgia: Just One More Trial For These Great Nations To Endure Both prostitution and poverty are not new to this part of the world but modern day slavery is. The hunger for Euros and dollars has caused a vicious greed that is dehumanizing the women of these ancient lands. And that’s a shame. Both Georgia and Armenia have so much history and so much to offer the world. Being small nations, they have endured great trials for many generations and have shown the world that they can survive. Human trafficking in Georgia and Armenia is a growing problem. JFY respects their tenacity to endure and will fight with them against the growing problem of human trafficking today. We are beginning to research how we could start the poster awareness campaign in the two countries and hope that more partners will join us to make this a reality. Will you join us? [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://www.justiceforyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Kelly.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kelly Hoodikoff is Co-founder of JFY and an article contributor. He has worked in the area of anti-human trafficking since 2006. He presently lives in Eastern Europe and is active in bringing awareness to the problem of human slavery. (Copyright 2013– Justice For Youth. All rights reserved.) [/author_info] [/author] JFY Trafficking Prevention Campaign In Full Motion April 23, 2013 Human Trafficking Prevention Campaign Getting It Done In The Schools of Moldova Moldova is the poorest country in Europe today. The challenges of the economy have helped to breed all sorts of crime and illegal activity. One of the most horrific crimes of all is the trafficking of young people for sexual exploitation and slavery. Thousands of Euro’s monthly are promised for jobs abroad but these false advertisements often lead to global trafficking. This problem has grown exponentially in Moldova since 2004 and lives are being devastated! Human Trafficking Prevention: Systematic and Strategic JFY has been bringing awareness to young people across the nation through school presentations and city-wide awareness campaigns for the last 2 years. Our school campaigns are a systematic and strategic approach to helping stop trafficking in the nation. The more people hear, the more they are prepared to prevent trafficking. We feel reaching young people in the schools is one of the most effective ways to prevent human trafficking. JFY now has full time staff going to each school and orphanage in the nation , serving as a grassroots “Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force,” conducting a quality presentation and a leaving a poster in a prominent place. The campaign is in full motion now and we hope to cover the whole nation, with the help of volunteers, within the next few years. The poster, shown in the photo below, has a special hotline number for people to call for more information on trafficking. The hotline operator will also help research job offers to make sure they are legitimate. These systematic efforts to stop human trafficking are presently being conducted in the southern Moldova city of Cahul and the nearby villages. Cahul’s school #3 has hundreds of students now more aware about the dangers of trafficking. Thank you for your partnership to prevent trafficking in Moldova and Eastern Europe. A Millennial’s Report On Sex Trafficking March 19, 2013 Sex Trafficking Examined There is no problem as daunting as the sex trafficking epidemic. Now the second most lucrative organized crime in the world (only drugs is greater), human trafficking takes its greatest toll on “at risk” young people who bear that distinction because of poverty, social disintegration, and a basic ignorance of the strategies of traffickers that maliciously and systematically stalk them. Here at JFY we continue to be encouraged by what we see happening in the hearts and minds of the Millennial generation—those born between 1982 and 2004. We believe that this generation of young people, who face monumental social challenges, are ready and willing rise up and tackle the difficult problems head on. [quote type=”center”] I learned a lot about sex trafficking. Before starting this assignment I read stories about sex trafficking, but never understood the reasons behind certain actions. Now I do. [/quote] We recently received correspondence from a 16 year old student in the Netherlands who asked a lot of questions about human trafficking in general, and sex trafficking in particular. She went on to produce a report. We asked her to send it to us, and we found it impressive. We want to give you the opportunity to read this outstanding work. Click the button below to download the PDF. [button link=”https://www.justiceforyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Human-Rights-for-Justice-for-Youth.pdf” newwindow=”yes”] Human Rights For Justice For Youth[/button] [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://www.justiceforyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Demi-Vonk-profile-pic.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Demi Vonk is a 16 year old “Millennial” born and raised in the Netherlands. She is in her 4th year of bilingual education and in her free time she likes to windsurf, ice-skate and have fun with her friends. She loves the music of Hawaiian singer Jack Johnson. [/author_info] [/author] Human Trafficking Now In 118 Countries February 13, 2013 According to new United Nations report, human trafficking has expanded to 136 nationalities and 118 countries globally. Roughly 60% of all human trafficking is for sexual exploitation. Human trafficking for forced labor now comprises 38% of all trafficking, reflecting a 100% increase in just the past four years. Sex trafficking is more common in Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, while the Middle East, while Southeast Asia, the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East are the predominant regions for labor trafficking. As a percentage of all modern day slavery, trafficking of children is up 30% in just the past few years, raising concern among UN officials. Woman and girls combined account for 75% of all human trafficking. A big concern raised by the report is the fact that even though 134 countries now call human trafficking a crime, actual convictions are rare. [button link=”http://news.yahoo.com/un-says-human-trafficking-found-118-countries-003912967.html” newwindow=”yes”] Read More: New UN Trafficking Report[/button] How Sex Trafficking Works December 3, 2012 Interview With One Of Our Founders September 24, 2012 We posed a few questions to Kelly, one of the founders and CEO of Justice For Youth. Kelly is a busy man who travels extensively and has a lot of responsibilities, and we appreciate him taking the time to give some candid answers. JFY: Tell us briefly about yourself. Kelly: I am married and have two children. My wife is from the USA and I am from Canada. We currently live in Eastern Europe. JFY: When did the vision of Justice For Youth first begin to germinate, and what finally brought you to the point of launching it? Kelly: In 2005, we started to hear of the growing problem of trafficking in Eastern Europe and began to do some research into human trafficking statistics. After reading the book, The Natashas and visiting some related web sites, we became horrified and knew that something had to be done to stop modern day slavery. We learned that some of these young people were even kidnapped off the streets and had to ask ourselves, ‘what would we do if that was our child?’ Justice for Youth was born. JFY: With so many organizations focused on human trafficking and poverty today, why start another one? And why Justice For Youth? Kelly: If you compare the number of organizations to the need, you would see that we are all still scratching the surface. It’s like a farmer trying to till 1000 acres of land with one hoe! The problem is growing and Justice for Youth was created to bring hope to children and youth at risk around the world. JFY: If you were given a blank piece of paper and told that whatever you wrote on it for Justice For Youth would become true in 5 years, what would you write? Kelly: I would love to see modern day slavery reduced to a low percentage in Eastern Europe with strict laws enforced for offenders. I would also like to see this campaign be so in the forefront of society that it becomes no longer a secret and ill-informed social evil. Of course, I would also like to see hope for orphaned children through quality homes, new families and innovative education that prepares them not just for life but for success in life! [quote]I would like to see a lot of things and I do believe that millions of children and youth will be influenced by our projects— but I would also do all of this for just one child if I knew we could save that child from the horror of trafficking, a life-long battle with HIV/AIDS, a homeless childhood or the damaging effects of poverty! [/quote] JFY: Is there any particular story or encounter that has particular meaning to you in relation to the vision of Justice For Youth? Kelly: A number of years ago, my wife and I visited an orphanage in Western Ukraine and learned that they were receiving $1 per child per month from the government. The facilities were run down, the children were dirty and the food was scarce. We began to ask ourselves, what can be done? Secondly, during the last 5 years, I have traveled to a number of countries across Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East and have noticed young, single, attractive girls on the flights who’s faces seemed cold and eye’s frightened. I knew that these girls were being trafficked but I didn’t know what to do about it. Now I know and I believe that a movement of JFYers around the world can, together, make a difference in the lives of many, many young people. JFY: What would you say, if you could, to a young person trapped in the vice-grip of human trafficking and the slave trades of our day? Kelly: There is hope! You are not alone! Give me your hand. JFY: What would you say to someone who would like to help but doesn’t know what to do? Kelly: Please join us in the cause for Justice for Youth. There is strength in numbers. We can do this together through networking, petitioning, giving, building, educating, caring. Slavery, homelessness and poverty can be defeated when we all stand together and do our part. What’s your part? Global Human Trafficking Statistics September 11, 2012 Human Trafficking Statistics Here is a proportional chart showing the severity of human trafficking globally. 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year. That is 2,200 each day–over 91 people each hour!
