December 2: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

December 2^nd is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery as established by the United Nations. Even though historical slavery, such as owning people to work on farms no longer exists, there is a modern type of slavery that is going on. Modern-day slavery is known as human trafficking.

Human Trafficking

People who are trafficked are usually "forced, defrauded, or coerced into the sex services industries or into situations where their labor is exploited" according to the U.S. Embassy. The U.S. Embassy reports that every year, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across worldwide borders.

Major Forms of Human Trafficking

According to the U.S. Department of State's 2008 Trafficking in Persons Report, there are several forms of human trafficking. Forced labor is exactly what it sounds like. Persons are forced into working. Bonded labor is the use of a debt to keep a person under their order. Debt bondage is common with migrant workers.

Illegal Child Labor

Even though partial child labor is legal, there are other forms of illegal child labors. Forced child labor, child soldiers, and sex trafficking are all illegal. One that you may not have heard of is Child Sex Tourism.

Child Sex Tourism

This form of illegal child labor is also a violent form of child abuse. Child Sex Tourism is where someone travels to another country to engage in commercial sex acts with a child.

Raising Awareness

Anyone can recognize this day on December 2^nd from elementary classrooms to adults. If you're a college student, post up flyers around campus or form discussion groups. Others can write blogs or spread awareness in forums.

Teachers can conduct lessons on the history of slavery and on current events. Have students bring in news articles or information from television news for extra credit. Students can also write poetry, short stories, or journal entries as if they were enslaved.

How You Can Make a Difference

Call your state representative and ask them what they are doing to prevent modern forms of slavery. Urge your representative to speak with Congress about ending slavery worldwide. Get other people to call or write letters.

Start a Movement

Create a website with information about modern forms of slavery and get others involved. Join a social networking group such as MySpace and Facebook and invite others to join the movement to raise awareness and help end global slavery.

Host a Fundraising Event

Raising money through auctions and selling items can be very rewarding. These monies can be used as donations for rescuing enslaved people. www.freetheslaves.net takes donations to help liberate children and entire families.

However you decide to recognize this day, keep in mind that every day you are enjoying your freedom, there is someone else out there who is in bonds. Don't take your own freedom for granted. Cherish your free life and be thankful to be a free person.