By XANDY GREEN
Staff Writer
Recently, human trafficking in general has become a more familiar term with society. There have been movements such as END IT to raise awareness for the 27 million men, women, and children who are enslaved around the world. The Body Shop had their biggest campaign yet back in 2009 with their “Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People”. They visited 20 countries and had 7,044,278 voices speak out and sign a petition. The Body Shop is working to urge governments with these petitions to take actions in order to protect these children and young people.
Another great movement currently trending is the #ENDITMOVEMENT. This non-profit organization started in 2012 and has come a long way in such a short time. Their whole mission is to shine a light on the 27 million people enslaved in 161 different countries. They do not have a sole focus on sex trafficking however. END IT expands into bondage, child laborers, along with trafficking. Their marketing campaign takes full advantage of social media and the attention it grabs from the younger generations. All across the world they ask people to draw a big red X on their hand and post it onto social media using #ENDITMOVEMENT.
One of the greatest movements of this generation is still an upcoming one done by MTV, known at MTV EXIT. Due to the established brand with younger generations, this movement I believe could be monumental to ending sex trafficking. So far, EXIT has held 40 concerts in 18 different countries, had 83 million viewers of MTV EXIT programs, reached 1.8 million people through live events, and had 570 community outreach events. MTV is encouraging viewers to speak out and get involved through their social media outlets: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Vimeo, and Youtube. They have also produced an eight-step plan individualized for you to take action in your community. You sign up through MTV EXIT and they experts will walk you through each step.
I believe that this is the type of movement that could prevent the sex trade industry from continuing to grow here in Atlanta.
MTV is taking advantage of their youthful brand and raising awareness amongst young generations. As I have mentioned before, education and awareness is the first key to ending this epidemic, and then ultimately taking action in your community.