Anti-slavery campaigners Stop the Traffik have announced a new initiative to engage and help young people to campaign against people-trafficking. Launched in partnership with the United Nations, the publicity states that START FREEDOM provides a way for young people to campaign against trafficking and change the world for people like Masud (not his real name):
‘I was 12 when I was trafficked from Bangladesh to England. I was forced to work in Indian restaurants where my life was controlled by the owners. I couldn’t go to school and slept on the street or in the storeroom between bags of onions and jars of chutney’
“I read about a girl trafficked from the UK to Italy, she was forced to work on the streets, beaten, threatened and repeatedly raped. I thought about my life: school, mum and dad, hanging out, parties … freedom” says Sam (15 year old campaigner). “It makes me sick that people treat each other like something you can buy at a market. People are not like mobile phones or coats! My school is taking part in START FREEDOM, I’m glad we found a way to tell the world we care.”
“Whether you’re at work, school or home, if you don’t stand up for those hidden in your community, who will?” says Victoria Kuhr of STOP THE TRAFFIK. “Young people sometimes feel like they can’t make a difference but we know that’s not true and this new project is going to inspire a new wave of activists set to change the world!”
The campaign culminates in March 2010 with START FREEDOM week where those involved can share their stories to create the Greatest Freedom Show on Earth.
See the trailer at the top of the page and visit Start Freedom or Stop the Traffik for more information.
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