from Rae LaMarche
Human trafficking happens in every country. It is a big money game earning global profits of roughly $150 billion per year for traffickers, $99 billion of which comes from commercial sexual exploitation. Human trafficking is second only to drug trafficking as the most lucrative crime. Every year some 1-2 million men, women and children become victims of human trafficking; 70% are female, half of all victims are ages 19-33, the average age is 27 though many are younger than 12. And some are actually born into this slavery.
One of the biggest impediments to anti-trafficking efforts is a lack of understanding of the issue. Springfield Rotarians recently approved a grant to fund a project: Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign. This campaign is primarily focused in January 2022 Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Join us for a Candlelight Vigil on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, in the Gateway area of Springfield. Participants will gather at the Gateway Credit Union, 3030 Gateway Loop, Springfield at 5pm for a short presentation prior to lining Gateway Boulevard. All are welcome.
Human Trafficking starts in a community and can be stopped by a community. In Oregon, October 2018 – October 2019, there were 750 reported cases. Lane County reported 120 cases, the second highest among 10 reporting counties. Most cases are never reported.
We need your skills and energy! Learn how you can help the committee roll out this important campaign by contacting Rae LaMarche, chairperson (lamarcher@comcast.net); or any of the other committee members (Steve Wheeler, Jo Ann Henderson, Tony LaMarche, Emily David, Randy Lodge, Beth De George).