Anna was born in La Libertadad, El Salvador. When she was 8 years old, a truck pulled up to her house. Two men got out and approached her father. The men handed him an unspecified amount of money. Her father instructed Anna to get into the back of the truck. The two men drove Anna across the border to Guatemala. They then dropped her off at a local brothel. For two weeks, Anna was savagely raped. After two weeks, the neighbor could no longer stand the little girl’s cries. He called the police and they raided the brothel. The courts placed Anna in the custody of The GOD’S CHILD Project. She was placed with a loving foster family, provided an education, given full medical care, and went through extensive psychological therapy. Not all victims’ stories end like Anna’s. Millions of people are still enslaved today.

On Black Friday groups across the United States will participate in a coordinated effort to raise awareness of modern day slavery and human trafficking. The event is being coordinated by The Institute for Trafficked, Exploited, and Missing Persons and will take place on November 27.

Modern day slavery, or human trafficking, is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit a person for profit. Human trafficking is the fastest growing industry in the world, with revenue totaling between $5 and $9 billion. Because of the hidden nature of trafficking, it is nearly impossible to generate an accurate number of victims; estimates range between 4 and 27 million people throughout the world according to the U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report. The United States is principally a transit and destination country, meaning most victims are brought to the U.S. to serve as domestic or sexual servants. It is estimated that between 14,500 and 17,500 people, primarily women and children, are trafficked into the U.S. annually.

Victims of trafficking and exploitation are coerced through fear tactics, violence, and a lack of knowledge of the resources available to them. They are forced to provide labor, in often dangerous conditions, for little or no money, serve as soldiers and act as sexual servants. Approximately 800,000 people are trafficked across national borders every year. This number does not include the millions trafficked within their own countries. Of transnational victims, approximately 80% are women, and up to 50% are minors.

ITEMP is a program of The GOD’S CHILD Project, the international charity founded by Patrick Atkinson in 1991. The GOD’S CHILD Project has been working in Antigua, Guatemala since 1991 providing education, medical care, and other critical aid to children and families in Antigua and surrounding areas. Since its inception, the project has grown to serve more than 12,000 Guatemalans every year. ITEMP was founded in 2001 to deal primarily with issues of trafficking and exploitation, which are major problems in Guatemala.
“We believe that every person has the right to live their life free from slavery, coercion, and fear. Quite simply, this is why we do what we do” — Patrick Atkinson, Founder of ITEMP.

The goals of ITEMP are reflected by the mission of The GOD’S CHILD Project: to “break the bitter chains of poverty through education and formation.” By educating victims and providing the essential tools to build an independent life, ITEMP helps to disrupt the cycle of poverty and vulnerability to exploitation. ITEMP does this by working with local authorities and taking custody of minors after brothel and forced-labor raids. ITEMP assists adults as well as children after raids by providing shelter, medical care, counseling, and legal aid. ITEMP works with other programs/NGOs, as well as the Guatemalan government, to better aid victims and increase prosecution of offenders.

While assisting victims is crucial, long-term solutions include educating the general public. Community cooperation is essential in the battle against modern slavery, as prevention is a large part of combating trafficking. Awareness on the part of the public creates intolerance of such atrocities being committed to those who cannot, or do not know how to, defend themselves against exploitation.

The day after Thanksgiving, groups will gather in several major U.S. cities to simultaneously give a voice to those without one. People will take a stand together outside of major retailers before opening early Friday morning. Participants will dress in black and bind their hands to demonstrate the chains that still enslave millions of individuals worldwide. The social awareness event aims to educate people about the issues of human trafficking and give people a way to get involved.

“The beauty of this event is that it is something anyone, anywhere can do. Individuals of any age can participate; families can do it, and groups of friends” — Jason Schmitz, group leader in Boston.

Anyone interested in participating can organize groups in their city, or find existing groups in their area by coordinating with ITEMP. A call to action instruction kit can be downloaded at www.itemp.org/breakingthechains.html. Donations will not be accepted during the event. Those who wish to give can visit the website for more information and other ways to get involved.