Back to Past Events	A Spark Film Screening Event With Producer Ric Esther Bienstock Wednesday, June 14th, 6pm World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter Street Sex Slaves - what is human trafficking? Human trafficking refers to transportation of persons for forced labor, sexual exploitation or other illicit activities. Trafficking may occur when someone moves you from one place to another with the promise of giving you a job or offering you marriage by using coercion, fraud, deception and force. It is modern-day slavery and traffickers will not hesitate to harm you and your family. It is estimated that more than 1 million people are trafficked annually around the world; some experts say it could be double that. Individuals who live in poverty and suffer from a lack of economic opportunity are often the most vulnerable victims of human trafficking. Human trafficking has become a global business that generates huge profits for traffickers and organized criminal groups. Because of it's clandestine nature, human trafficking is likely to remain an increasingly underreported crime. Therefore, establishing reliable statistics on human trafficking remains a challenge worldwide. how can you help? - Attend Spark�s Film Screening Event of the Acclaimed Film, Sex Slaves - Volunteer with or donate to a local organization to promote awareness about and help combat human trafficking. There are many California resources to help with human trafficking: San Francisco: Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (APILO) Los Angeles: Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) Little Tokyo Service Center San Diego: Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition For a list of other organizations throughout the United States that help with human trafficking, visit www.humantrafficking.org - Increase Public Awareness About Human Trafficking: Host a discussion or open forum about Human Trafficking at your local school, college, religious group, or community group. Many Americans are still unaware of how widespread the problem is and how it may even be happening in their own backyards. The more people learn about this human rights abuse, the more "eyes and ears" are available to help report suspected cases and prevent further abuses. To request a speaker for your group, contact director@humantrafficking.org - Urge your local TV and Radio Broadcasters to air short video and radio public service announcements (PSAs) about trafficking in human beings. Visit www.unodc.org for a free downloadable copy of the PSA. - Read the Department of State�s �Be Smart, Be Safe� Brochure to be aware of signs of this worldwide epidemic. usinfo.state.gov - Join the �Stop the Violence Against Women� Campaign, by visiting www.amnestyusa.org