In 2008, an Australia-based nonprofit fighting against modern day slavery was founded by international motivational speaker Christine Caine when she spotted an airport advertisement warning against the dangers of child abduction. Her organization entitled the A21 Campaign has rapidly spread over the last decade, with 14 international offices around the globe. A21 seeks to raise awareness concerning the exploit of labor – not just of women and children, but of men as well.
A21 strives to fight this global epidemic through means of prevention, protection, and prosecution. Speaking at schools, leading international protests, and building a strong social media presence has all helped A21 gain traction. Survivors rescued are all provided with shelter care and transition programs to help them prepare for a normal future outside of enforced labor or sex industry. A prosecution branch then provides legal counsel to every survivor, allowing them to take the appropriate legal steps to fight further trafficking rings. A21 doesn’t just raise awareness – it physically saves people from their desperate situations. The follow-through of A21 allows for the rehab of these people, setting them up for success later in life as they seize their second chance at normalcy.
Caine has been an inspiration to me since I was young. My family has longtime placed an emphasis on supporting NGOs and social justice campaigns. I grew up learning about the abuses of young women, the kidnapping of children to work in sweatshops, and the lies of wages told to men who were fooled into being recruited as enslaved laborers. This has instilled a fierce desire to support social justice movements, especially in the area of contemporary slavery. Caine’s drive and dedication to the hurting people of the world struck a chord with me, igniting my ambition to work in the career field of human rights.
Caine believes that “when a lot of people do a little, it adds up and makes a difference.” Join me as I take part in the Walk for Freedom movement right here in Los Angeles on October 20, as I choose to walk with thousands of others that stand for freedom from modern-day slavery.
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