We think of slavery as a horrible thing in America’s past. Many of us learned about slavery in our junior high school history class, but were left believing it was over and done. As a newcomer to our nation’s capitol this month, I was immediately introduced to a whole new world, focused on human rights and corporate social responsibility. It was quite a shock to learn of the slavery that still exists in our modern world. Last year, right down the road (I can’t believe I’m that close!) President Barack Obama proclaimed January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. So I guess I came to Washington, D.C. at an exciting time – I get to be a part of this, and so do you!
Those who know that “human trafficking” still exists often assume that it happens only in the sex industry, but what we don’t realize, at least I didn’t, is that there are a plethora of industries that use the labor of trafficked humans. The list is shockingly long.