In case you aren’t aware, according to UNICEFF 1.2 million children are trafficked each year. Human trafficking is the world’s fastest growing crime! Don’t think it just happens elsewhere, human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states. In a 2014 report, the Urban Institute estimated that the underground sex economy ranged from $39.9 million in Denver, Colorado, to $290 million in Atlanta, Georgia. It is everywhere, especially in major travel hubs. We all need to do our part to stop the atrocity.

About CAGED NO MORE

Inspired by real events, CAGED NO MORE is the story of Aggie Prejean, a grandmother on a desperate search to find her two granddaughters, Skye and Elle, who have been kidnapped by their sinister father. As the details behind the girls’ disappearance begin to unravel, it’s discovered he has taken them overseas to be sold into slavery to settle his drug debt. Aggie enlists the help of the girls’ uncle, a well-respected local philanthropist, and his son Wil, who is former Special Forces. A global hunt ensues, and the team will stop at nothing to see the girls safely returned home. CAGED NO MORE is a drama meant to engage and educate audiences on the realities of human trafficking.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

I have not been blown away by a movie since I saw War Room over a year ago. CAGED NO MORE had me on the edge of my couch for the entire movie. The script is well written and the movie is well cast. Loretta Devine is amazing as Aggie, we all need someone who loves us as much as she does for her family. Alan Powell does a wonderful job showing both the strong and caring sides of Wil.

I’m aware that human trafficking is a very difficult subject, but it is an important one. I hope you will buy the Caged No More (DVD) and share it with your teens, small groups and Sunday school classes. If you visit the CAGED NO MORE website there is a downloadable 4 week Bible study available for free. This movie is PG-13 and I agree with the rating, this movie is too intense, and the subject matter is too mature for kids younger than 13 to view.

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Sarah Symons is the co-founder and Executive Director of The Emancipation Network, a social purpose non-profit business fighting human trafficking through the import and sale of handicraft products made by survivors and people at high risk for being sold into slavery, offering economic empowerment, and the hope of a future to survivors. Along with her husband John Berger, Symons started the organization with her own money and the contributions of a few concerned friends.

Prior to starting T.E.N., Symons worked both in the nonprofit and business worlds. From 1990-1994, she served as Program Director and Artist in Residence for Creative Arts Workshops, a program serving homeless kids in New York City. In this capacity, Symons provided direct services to youth, managed volunteers, planned and implemented large-scale art projects, and launched a teen program. From 1994 to the present, she has worked as a composer of TV music, and as a recording artist. She was also the founder and President of Endurance Music, a source music company and recording studio. Symons’ music is frequently heard on national network TV, and in regional radio advertising.

Symons found out about the issue of modern day slavery at a film festival, where one of her compositions was featured in a film.

This film showed people who were standing up against slavery, and putting their lives on the line to fight it – with limited resources, with emotional and physical scars from years of abuse.

“If they could do it, I felt that I had to find a way to support them. With all the resources we have in the US, surely there was something we could do to help break the chain of slavery. I met my husband John for lunch later that day, and couldn’t wait to tell him. “I just saw a film that is going to change my life!” I guess I should have said ‘our lives’ because as it turned out, fighting slavery has become a family business.” from madebysurvivors.com

John Berger is the co-founder and CEO of TEN. He brings 18 years of Wall Street business experience to the organization, having worked as an investment banker and V.P. of institutional equity sales at Prudential Securities, Schwab Investments, Smith Barney and BB&T. Berger specialized in capital markets and is an expert in evaluating companies by analyzing business strategy, management, financial structure, industry dynamics, technology and competitive position in a variety of industries.

From 1996 to 1998, he served as a Board Director and Treasurer at Creative Arts Workshops for Kids, a program serving homeless kids in New York City. At T.E.N., he specializes on marketing, sales, operations, logistics, and business development for NGO partners.

Facts on Human Trafficking

* Every 10 minutes, a woman or child is trafficked into the United States for forced labor. Source: CAST (Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking)
* In the case of trafficking for sexual exploitation, girls often have their virginity sold first, followed by multiple rapes often leading to HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Source: UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

* The children are often “sold” by unsuspecting parents who believe their children are going to be looked after, learn a trade or be educated. Source: UNICEF

* Victims of trafficking are subject to gross human rights violations including rape, torture, beatings, starvation, dehumanization, and threats of murdering family members. Source: UNODC

* After adjusting for inflation, a slave sold in 1850, would now roughly cost $30,000 to $40,000. Today you can go to Haiti and buy a 9-year-old girl as a sex slave for $50. Source: Benjamin Skinner, “A Crime So Monstrous: Face-to-Face with Modern-Day Slavery.

* The total market value of illicit human trafficking at $32 billion-about $10 billion is derived from the initial “sale” of individuals, with the remainder representing the estimated profits from the activities or goods produced by the victims. Source: UNODC

* A recent CIA report estimated that between 45,000 to 50,000 women and children are brought to the United States every year under false pretenses and are forced to work as prostitutes, abused laborers or servants.

* Children are trafficked to work in sweatshops as bonded labor and men work illegally in the “three D-jobs” – dirty, difficult and dangerous.

I know I want to do what I can to get involved in helping to help the victims of human trafficking. One way we can all help is by shopping at the TEN store. They have may beautiful and affordable handmade items that would make thoughtful gifts. Today I am giving away one of my favorite items. I really wish I had one of these for my self. It is a beautiful, striped handmade paper journal. Handmade from renewable paper, this vivid 5″ x 7″ journal has a wooden cover and a button clasp. Made by Survivors in Nepal.
How to Enter: Visit the TEN Store, look around and leave me a comment telling me what item you would like to give as a gift any why.

Bonus Entries:Leave a seperate comment for each one you complete.

*5 bonus entries for making a purchase from the TEN Store

*5 bonus entries for making a donation to TEN via JustGive.org

*3 bonus entries for blogging about TEN and the plight of human trafficking

*Tweet this “@Mommaven is hosting a giveaway to raise awareness about the plight of Human Trafficking I entered you can too http://bit.ly/jpr5l”

This giveaway is open to US residents only and the winner will be chosen May 14th at 8:00pm. Good Luck!

The post Day 9 of 10 Days of Celebrating Mom-Giveaway for the Journaling Mom appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Slavery is not legal anywhere in the world today. No where is it ok to own another human being. Modern day slavery a.k.a. human trafficking, is the 2nd largest criminal industry worldwide. There are an estimated 27 million victims of slavery on earth today. Of that 27 million, 70% are female and 50% are minors.

Human trafficking happens all over the world, even here in the United States. An estimated 15,000-18,000 people are trafficked into the U.S. annually. In the U.S. these slaves are used as domestic and field workers  or sold into the sex trade.

Sex slavery is big business. Worldwide it generates an estimated $7 billion annually. Destitute families around the world sell their children for as little as $150. The traffickers can turn around and sell the children to a brothel for $1000.

There are many organizations worldwide doing what they can to educate parents and rescue victims. One such agency is The Emancipation Network or TEN. They help rescued survivors rebuild their lives by education, training in handicrafts to create sustainable income, and reintegrating them into society. TEN offers shelters, healthcare and legal aid to survivors. Most victims who were sold or abducted into slavery cannot return to their family’s. When they are ready to move out and start fresh, TEN offers rent support, medical care and continuing education.

TEN helps prevent trafficking by working in high risk communities to train adults and create sustainable income. Often as little as $100 a year in addition income will allow a family to not need to sell a child into slavery!

What can you do to help?

• You can purchase the beautiful handmade products at Made by Survivors.
• You can host a home party or community awareness event. http://madebysurvivors.com/HowYouCanHelp
• Donate to The Emancipation Network via Just Give

Today’s giveaway is for a beautiful Eco-Chic Wood Handled Tote Bag in Blue and White

Ultra-green product!  This unique wood-handled purse from our Eco-chic collection measures 15″ x 15″ and is made from reclaimed garbage – plastic shopping bags that were littering the landscape of Ahmedabad India.  The bags have been collected, washed and woven on a loom to create the ultimate bag and matching small case, laptop case, and camera case. The bag sells for $24 at Made by Survivors.

How to Enter

Mandatory entry: Visit The Emancipation Network and learn more about the plight of human trafficking. Then come back here and leave me a comment about something you learned about this international crisis.

Bonus entries: You may chose to complete any or all of these after completing the mandatory entry. Leave a comment for each one you complete.

• 5 entries for making a purchase from the Made by Survivors store.
• Fave this blog on Technorati-click on the button in my sidebar
• Subscribe to my RSS feed
• Tweet this on Twitter “@MomMaven is hosting a giveaway to support the survivors of Human Trafficking. I entered, you can too! http://tinyurl.com/dm8suz” leave the URL of the tweet in your comment-you may do this 1X a day.

This contest is open to US residents only and the winner will be chosen by Random.org on May 9th at 5pm.

The post Day 2 of 10 Days of Celebrating Mom-Giveaway to Support the Survivor Mom appeared first on The Mom Maven.