Modern-Day Abolitionists

“Our history teachers lied to us – they told us that slavery has been abolished,” Dana Vaughn-Mgunda, director of the Gender Violence Education and Support Services program at the University of Denver, told us during her presentation on Human Trafficking at the Regional Conference in Price.

During Dana’s four-hour workshop we learned that human trafficking is the third largest activity of organized crime, behind drugs and guns. That it’s not always about sex – many trafficking victims are forced to work for low or no wages in poor working conditions. And yes, it happens in the United States. And yes, it happens in Utah. And yes, women can be traffickers.

It is often difficult for law enforcement to identify trafficking victims. Dana reminded us of how controversial trafficking can be. Think about it – a prostitute is a criminal, but a person forced into prostitution is a victim. We frown upon illegal immigrants – but what about “immigrants” who were brought here against their will?

Dana offered some concrete suggestions as to how one person can make a difference. Look for hotels that have anti-trafficking policies. Buy from companies that have – and enforce – policies against forced labor. How do you find them? Look at http://free2work.org , a web site that grades (A,B,C,D, & F) US companies on their policies regarding slave labor. I was shocked at some of the U.S. companies that have failing grades because they do not insist that their suppliers have policies against forced labor. I may never eat chocolate again! OK – that’s a bit rash – found a couple of chocolatiers that made the grade.

Soroptimists all over the world are rallying around the cause of human trafficking, and the SIA web site offers white papers and program information. But to really make a difference, Dana suggested that “change starts with the woman in the mirror.” Are we ready to abolish this new wave of slavery?