Central Oregon Community College is hosting a presentation, Human Trafficking: It is closer than you think! at 5pm on Monday, January 12, in Hitchcock Auditorium in Pioneer Hall, on the COCC Bend Campus. The event is free and open to the public.
The community is invited to join Nita Belles, author, speaker and director of Central Oregonians against Trafficking Humans and In Our Backyard 365, for an informative presentation that includes true stories of human trafficking victims, survivors, perpetrators and heroes. The presentation will include information about opportunities to combat this practice with very little commitment of time or money.
The global observation of Human Trafficking Awareness Day is Jan. 11. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness of sexual slavery and human trafficking worldwide. The U.S. Senate initiated this observance in 2007.
The United Nations has begun to highlight this topic and work toward global awareness.
Facts about human trafficking:
• There are 21 to 30 million people in slavery today. This is more than at any time in human history (Source: freetheslaves.net).
• According to UNICEF, it is estimated that two million children are victims of the sex trade each year.
• The average age of a girl being forced into the U.S. domestic sex slavery market is 12 to 14, for a boy it is 11 to 13.
• The average cost of a slave around the world is $90.
For information, call 541-383-7256.
