Sex trafficking, hunger and poverty. These are issues that many of the children in America and all over the world face on a daily basis. Though these problems may seem unconquerable, you can create change, like the SE Chorale. They are hosting an event this November to raise awareness about these issues.
In 2012 the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that of those who were victims of sex trafficking, the percent who were children rose from 20 percent to 27 percent in only three years.
Sex trafficking has already outnumbered the illegal sale of arms and at its current rate will surpass the illegal sale of drugs within the next few years, according to arcofhopeforchildren.org.
There are 1.5 million victims of sex trafficking in the United States and 20.9 million victims worldwide, according to arkofhopeforchildren.com.
600,000 to 800,000 women, children and men are bought and sold each year and exploited for forced labor or commercial sex, according to arkofhopeforchildren.org. It is estimated that 50 percent of these victims are children.
Why do we always hear about these problems in other countries, but pay little attention to the crimes happening on our own soil? This issue is not restricted to back alley exchanges either.
This age a social media allows us to connect with our friends, check the most recent news and even do a little shopping. People all over the world can speak through video chats, write blogs on important or not so important issues and buy, sell and trade items.
You can also buy, sell or trade children. It is estimated that 76 percent of transactions for sex with minor girls begins online, according to arkofhopeforchildren.org.
Sex trafficking is not the only issue children are facing today. Hunger abounds in the land of $1 burgers and a generation of overweight Americans.
According to nokidhungry.org, 16 million children in America, or 1 in 5 children, live in a household that struggles to put food on the table. Three out of five teachers in America report children who come to school hungry because their families cannot afford food, and 47 percent of food stamp recipients are children, said nokidhungry.org.
The main cause of children going hungry is poverty. Twenty-two percent of children in the United States live in poverty, according to nokidhungry.org. The number is just too high for us to stand idly by and watch these children suffer. One child going hungry is unacceptable, but there are so many more in the U.S. starving.
So what can you do? There are so many ways that you can help end sex trafficking, hunger and poverty in America. You can visit either of the sources listed above (nokidhungry.org and arkofhopeforchildren.org) and make a donation to fund organizations that fight childhood hunger, poverty and sex crimes against children.
If you don’t have the dough, you can volunteer. Here in Durant we have Families Feeding Families, which provides meals to underprivileged families, no questions asked.
You can also donate to a food bank such as, Hands of Hope Outreach Center, located on 724 W. Main St. in Durant, or start your own food drive, like the SE Chorale. The Chorale will be accepting canned food donations at their “Lost Child” concert at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 in the Fine Arts Recital Hall.
No matter how small the donation, you can help make a difference. A few dollars, or a few hours of your time can help a child that is suffering in America. Why not give it a shot?