Human trafficking on the rise in U.S.
Human traffic has become one of the fastest growing crimes in the world, according to officials, and the state of Florida ranks second in the nation in receiving human slaves.
These and other statistics will be discussed during the Aug. 25 monthly membership meeting of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce to be held at Majestic Golf & Country Club, 250 S. Homestead Road in Lehigh. The meeting is open to the public, but call for reservations, 369-3322
Sally Senitz and her husband, Lowell, of Wings of Shelter International, will be the speakers. Asked how they became involved in the fight against slavery, she replied, “We saw a special on it, and we felt we needed to respond.”
Both currently sit on the Lee County Task Force Intervening in Human Slavery. The group works with the FBI, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and other governmental agencies.
According to Sally Senitz, since the 1800s human slavery “crosses all cultures, religions and political lines.” Some 27 million people around the world, including children under 18, are slaves being held against their will. Some children are as young as 4 years old.
“Also there are countries where kids are taken from and also brought in,” she said.
In addition to spreading awareness, the couple is also involved in trying to get witnesses and those knowledgeable about the traffic to speak up.
“It is very hard to get people to testify,” she said.
The reason many are unwilling to cooperate is that threats have been made that their families will be hurt if they speak up.
“We need to become more aware of things that have been done in other states that we have not done,” she added. “Making the people aware – that’s our goal. It is time for Florida to wake up. The people of Florida are good people with great hearts. When they become aware, they will become active.”
Human trafficking has become the fastest growing crime in the world, surpassing both drugs and arms smuggling, according to government statistics, and “80 percent of the traffic is sexual slavery, as opposed to servitude, and Florida is number two for receiving slaves.”
Senitz said Florida Gulf Coast University is also becoming involved in the fight:
“FGCU is very strong in participating in the intervention of slavery. They will have a week-long conference and awareness week on human slavery in January.”
Anyone wishing to join the fight or learn more about the situation can call (239)340-2980.
Senitz said they are also planning age-appropriate programs for school children.
“They can be taught to be safe,” she said. “Florida children must be taught to have awareness and be safe.”
According to Senitz, “one million children per day, around the world, are taken into slavery.”
Human trafficking on the rise in U.S.
Human traffic has become one of the fastest growing crimes in the world, according to officials, and the state of Florida ranks second in the nation in receiving human slaves.
These and other statistics will be discussed during the Aug. 25 monthly membership meeting of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce to be held at Majestic Golf & Country Club, 250 S. Homestead Road in Lehigh. The meeting is open to the public, but call for reservations, 369-3322
Sally Senitz and her husband, Lowell, of Wings of Shelter International, will be the speakers. Asked how they became involved in the fight against slavery, she replied, “We saw a special on it, and we felt we needed to respond.”
Both currently sit on the Lee County Task Force Intervening in Human Slavery. The group works with the FBI, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and other governmental agencies.
According to Sally Senitz, since the 1800s human slavery “crosses all cultures, religions and political lines.” Some 27 million people around the world, including children under 18, are slaves being held against their will. Some children are as young as 4 years old.
“Also there are countries where kids are taken from and also brought in,” she said.
In addition to spreading awareness, the couple is also involved in trying to get witnesses and those knowledgeable about the traffic to speak up.
“It is very hard to get people to testify,” she said.
The reason many are unwilling to cooperate is that threats have been made that their families will be hurt if they speak up.
“We need to become more aware of things that have been done in other states that we have not done,” she added. “Making the people aware – that’s our goal. It is time for Florida to wake up. The people of Florida are good people with great hearts. When they become aware, they will become active.”
Human trafficking has become the fastest growing crime in the world, surpassing both drugs and arms smuggling, according to government statistics, and “80 percent of the traffic is sexual slavery, as opposed to servitude, and Florida is number two for receiving slaves.”
Senitz said Florida Gulf Coast University is also becoming involved in the fight:
“FGCU is very strong in participating in the intervention of slavery. They will have a week-long conference and awareness week on human slavery in January.”
Anyone wishing to join the fight or learn more about the situation can call (239)340-2980.
Senitz said they are also planning age-appropriate programs for school children.
“They can be taught to be safe,” she said. “Florida children must be taught to have awareness and be safe.”
According to Senitz, “one million children per day, around the world, are taken into slavery.”
Human trafficking on the rise in U.S.
Human traffic has become one of the fastest growing crimes in the world, according to officials, and the state of Florida ranks second in the nation in receiving human slaves.
These and other statistics will be discussed during the Aug. 25 monthly membership meeting of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce to be held at Majestic Golf & Country Club, 250 S. Homestead Road in Lehigh. The meeting is open to the public, but call for reservations, 369-3322
Sally Senitz and her husband, Lowell, of Wings of Shelter International, will be the speakers. Asked how they became involved in the fight against slavery, she replied, “We saw a special on it, and we felt we needed to respond.”
Both currently sit on the Lee County Task Force Intervening in Human Slavery. The group works with the FBI, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and other governmental agencies.
According to Sally Senitz, since the 1800s human slavery “crosses all cultures, religions and political lines.” Some 27 million people around the world, including children under 18, are slaves being held against their will. Some children are as young as 4 years old.
“Also there are countries where kids are taken from and also brought in,” she said.
In addition to spreading awareness, the couple is also involved in trying to get witnesses and those knowledgeable about the traffic to speak up.
“It is very hard to get people to testify,” she said.
The reason many are unwilling to cooperate is that threats have been made that their families will be hurt if they speak up.
“We need to become more aware of things that have been done in other states that we have not done,” she added. “Making the people aware – that’s our goal. It is time for Florida to wake up. The people of Florida are good people with great hearts. When they become aware, they will become active.”
Human trafficking has become the fastest growing crime in the world, surpassing both drugs and arms smuggling, according to government statistics, and “80 percent of the traffic is sexual slavery, as opposed to servitude, and Florida is number two for receiving slaves.”
Senitz said Florida Gulf Coast University is also becoming involved in the fight:
“FGCU is very strong in participating in the intervention of slavery. They will have a week-long conference and awareness week on human slavery in January.”
Anyone wishing to join the fight or learn more about the situation can call (239)340-2980.
Senitz said they are also planning age-appropriate programs for school children.
“They can be taught to be safe,” she said. “Florida children must be taught to have awareness and be safe.”
According to Senitz, “one million children per day, around the world, are taken into slavery.”
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