You don't have to be a parent to be worried.

[she_is_my_addiction]

Is anyone interested to help stop or alleviate child trafficking?

 

[Jagged]

The new slave trade is brutal and everywhere.....law enforcement needs to do more as so many children are taken and robbed of their childhood.

 

[Liar]

Is anyone interested to help stop or alleviate child trafficking?

Um...yes?

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

Let me try and explain this. If anyone is interested in trying to organize something with me or raise money for the cause, PM me for more details.

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

Law enforcement really ought to step it up... maybe kick a few doors in, when they know there's a problem--warrant be damned!

*AH contradiction s'plosion*

But, seriously, donating how and why? The cause is a good one, I just don't see what we can be doing about it, in a meaningul way, by handing over money.

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

Law enforcement really ought to step it up... maybe kick a few doors in, when they know there's a problem--warrant be damned!

*AH contradiction s'plosion*

But, seriously, donating how and why? The cause is a good one, I just don't see what we can be doing about it, in a meaningul way, by handing over money.

I only have a vague idea myself, that's why I'd like to get at least one or two other people genuinely interested for now...so more than one mind can work on details and such.

I went on a few websites last night, with ideas for fundraisers and places to donate time and money. I have a few ties to people that could potentially support and/or sponsor this idea.

 

[S-Des]

I only have a vague idea myself, that's why I'd like to get at least one or two other people genuinely interested for now...so more than one mind can work on details and such.

I went on a few websites last night, with ideas for fundraisers and places to donate time and money. I have a few ties to people that could potentially support and/or sponsor this idea.

Be really careful about where you contribute your money. There are a lot of sites and charities that are legitimate, but very little of the money gets put to good use. There are web sites that deal with those issues and you can see who uses the money wisely. It's a shame to see people inspired to help, only to have their money wind up in some scumbag's pockets.

To Joe, I know of at least 3 people who are regular posters who've been victims of false allegations and had their lives turned upside-down over it. Platitudes like, "Warrants be dammed," seem really cool, but after you've lost your kids, spent time in jail, paid thousands to lawyers, and lost at least a year of your life (assuming you're able to prove your innocence), not to mention the daily agony of not knowing what will happen next, you get a slightly different perspective on cops who've watched too much TV and decide to make up the law as they go.

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

Be really careful about where you contribute your money. There are a lot of sites and charities that are legitimate, but very little of the money gets put to good use. There are web sites that deal with those issues and you can see who uses the money wisely. It's a shame to see people inspired to help, only to have their money wind up in some scumbag's pockets.

To Joe, I know of at least 3 people who are regular posters who've been victims of false allegations and had their lives turned upside-down over it. Platitudes like, "Warrants be dammed," seem really cool, but after you've lost your kids, spent time in jail, paid thousands to lawyers, and lost at least a year of your life (assuming you're able to prove your innocence), not to mention the daily agony of not knowing what will happen next, you get a slightly different perspective on cops who've watched too much TV and decide to make up the law as they go.

I don't want to just collect money from people and send it off to wherever. Quite frankly it's blah and it's been done before. Maybe a Lit-together with a cause, or a few of us form our own branch of some prominant name like the Amber Alert system. There are volunteer opportunities, motivational speakers, inspirational speakers, chances to educate people, movies and television episodes to be used as examples of the sort of things that go on. There are ways to organize auctions, bake sales, etc. to raise money for more than just donations. Sometimes police departments will accept help from civilians.

These are all just mini ideas, but if I see enough interest here (I know a lot of people are hard pressed to find enough time for just their own private lives, so I'm not pushing too hard) I will elaborate and share more.


Sima

 

[S-Des]

I don't want to just collect money from people and send it off to wherever. Quite frankly it's blah and it's been done before. Maybe a Lit-together with a cause, or a few of us form our own branch of some prominant name like the Amber Alert system. There are volunteer opportunities, motivational speakers, inspirational speakers, chances to educate people, movies and television episodes to be used as examples of the sort of things that go on. There are ways to organize auctions, bake sales, etc. to raise money for more than just donations. Sometimes police departments will accept help from civilians.

These are all just mini ideas, but if I see enough interest here (I know a lot of people are hard pressed to find enough time for just their own private lives, so I'm not pushing too hard) I will elaborate and share more.


Sima

I'm not good with the original ideas for what to do, but depending on your location, I have lots of connections (bands, DJs, sound, lights, event coordinators, etc...). If you get something going, count me in. PM me with any questions or requests, I would do anything I could to help. Anything that provides help or support for kids is something I would be happy to participate in. My problem always has been not knowing where to start. It's sometimes hard to find an avenue to offer your time. A lot of organizations won't just let someone walk in off the street and be involved (for obvious reasons).

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

Child Trafficking -- Christelle's Story taken from planusa.org

Christelle is a young girl living in Togo, West Africa. She was a victim of child trafficking who survived; returning home to start her life again.

Here is her story, in her own words:

One day a woman named Yawa came to my village to talk with another woman…about me.

The two women told my mother that I could make a lot of money working in Gabon and that I would be able to continue my education while there. They said I would be in good hands and safe.

Yawa returned with three other girls and we were taken by another lady first to Be, a suburb of Lorme, then on a bus to Benin. We had to cross the Togo-Benin border on foot, then took another vehicle to Cotonou, the capital, where we were brought together with another 30 girls.

We were fed sugar, flour and steamed dough.

From there, we took a boat to Cotonou. We were kept in the back, hidden under a tarp. We were at sea for seven days.

When we reached Gabon, the police were on patrol. The crew fled the boat and we were taken in canoes to a village on the water. We were put on a bus to Gabon where we were finally reunited with Yawa.

A few days later, I was brought to stay with a couple who owned a shop where I was to help out.

After a few days of work, I started having trouble. The woman began insulting me, calling me a thief, and hitting me. When she was away, her husband would touch me. I was afraid of him, but he kept threatening me.

Then one night, he raped me.

It was not long before I became aware of the signs. I knew I was pregnant. When I told the couple, they sent me away. I was helpless, on the streets of a strange place.

Somehow I found the Togolese embassy and they helped me return home. . . .

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

Note: Taken from planusa.org

It’s a challenge. The slave trade today is alive and prospering. Only now it’s global. Asia, Africa, the Caribbean. The United States is a receiving country, importing kids from poor countries, often for sex.

Worldwide estimates put the number of children being trafficked for use as sex workers and cheap labor at 1.2 million a year.

 

[arienette]

Bumpity bump bump bump.

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

not that i think it will get a lot of play or anything like that, but i now have a blog dedicated to the child trafficking cause. the link is in my sig, at the bottom. F.A.C.T.

basically it documents my progress as i try to get involved more deeply and/or look at ways to become a valid organization, i.e. through a church, working alongside an already established group, etc.

check it out. maybe some would be willing to work with me.

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

not that i think it will get a lot of play or anything like that, but i now have a blog dedicated to the child trafficking cause. the link is in my sig, at the bottom. F.A.C.T.

basically it documents my progress as i try to get involved more deeply and/or look at ways to become a valid organization, i.e. through a church, working alongside an already established group, etc.

check it out. maybe some would be willing to work with me.

oh look, i was right.

 

[Liar]

oh look, i was right.

Bout what?

Oh, ya mean because nobody has replied, to a post and subject that you just don't blurt out something and leave, but has to think it through? Give it more than half an hour, please.

Not sure how much my experience with this kind of work would help you. I guess the political landscape looks a little different over there, but when I worked for a youth center, we had some success rasising public awareness in press and via political parties about the problem w child abuse. Best effect was when we worked the media and politicians on an individual level.

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

Bout what?

Oh, ya mean because nobody has replied, to a post and subject that you just don't blurt out something and leave, but has to think it through? Give it more than half an hour, please.

Not sure how much my experience with this kind of work would help you. I guess the political landscape looks a little different over there, but when I worked for a youth center, we had some success rasising public awareness in press and via political parties about the problem w child abuse. Best effect was when we worked the media and politicians on an individual level.

See? You responded. So my little fake angry post worked.

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

Not sure how much my experience with this kind of work would help you. I guess the political landscape looks a little different over there, but when I worked for a youth center, we had some success rasising public awareness in press and via political parties about the problem w child abuse. Best effect was when we worked the media and politicians on an individual level.

YES!! Experience doesn't matter to me. You obviously are more knowledgable than me in this area, and that's completely helpful all by itself. I did some reading of government (American) related documents while I was in downtown Chicago recently, and there's been senate stuff (see how articulate I am? ) etc. So there's an awareness, but it just doesn't seem to be "out there" as much as it could be, if you know what I mean.