Millions of people are trafficked every year contributing to the $150 billion industry around the world, according to the A21 website.
The A21 campaign is an nonprofit organization that works to end human trafficking in the 21st century. They work to raise awareness on sex trafficking and to free victims of this illegal industry.
Every year, the A21 campaign holds a world-wide walk to raise awareness on this issue as well as raise money to keep the efforts going.
Moscow community members Lisa Salisbury and her daughter Chole are the sponsors for the walk in Moscow. The two of them decided to sponsor a walk in Moscow after learning more about the organization.
“The whole thing is to raise awareness and money for human trafficking,” said Salisbury. “In almost every city in the United States and the world, trafficking is going on and not a lot of people are talking about it. This will raise awareness to get the conversation going.”
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For the past ten years this campaign has been going on around the world. This walk aims to help people recognize the signs of human trafficking. The A21 website offers many resources and tips to recognize the signs as well.
Some signs of human trafficking include if a person is being controlled by another person, showing overly fearful, depressed and submissive behavior, bad health and malnutrition, lack of official identification, signs of physical abuse, substance abuse, lack of trust, lack of personal belongings and many more according to their website. The campaign encourages “if you suspect it report it,” because 1% of victims are never found, according to their website.
Types of trafficking include sex trafficking, forced labor, bonded labor, involuntary domestic servitude and child soldiers according to the website.
Salisbury said trafficking is happening everywhere and many people aren’t aware of it. She also said college students especially need to get involved and know the signs of human trafficking.
“I believe this is the generation that can make a difference and have voice,” Salisbury said. “You guys are the voice of the future. I encourage every college student to attend.”
Salisbury said human trafficking happens in many forms and many victims are young college women.
Those who want to get involved in the walk need to register at www.a21.org/walk and search the Moscow walk. Registration is required for the walk. If anyone can’t make it to the walk, they can either donate to the campaign or to the Moscow walk specifically on the A21 website.
There is an option to buy a t-shirt from the organization to wear to the walk. If someone doesn’t want to or can’t buy the shirt, they need to wear black to the walk to recognize the seriousness of this issue.
The A21 walk in Moscow will be on Saturday Oct. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check in starts at 11 a.m.
Participants will walk in a single file line in silence from Buffalo Wild Wings to downtown and back.
Salisbury said that because this walk is during both Washington State University and University of Idaho homecoming weekend there is a good opportunity to raise awareness about this issue.
“Really when you’re talking about this, it’s not a political issue or a religious issue,” said Salisbury. “To me it’s a real human issue that we all need to get involved in if you have a heart for those enslaved around the world.”
Nicole Hindberg can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @HindbergNicole.