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Help raise awareness to combat human trafficking!
REGISTER TODAY: http://walk.stopmodernslavery.org
ILRF is an Honorary Partner of the walk
 

About Human Trafficking

Today, there are an estimated 27 million slaves around the world, including within our DC Area communities.  This new form of modern slavery, also known as human trafficking, has become the fastest growing and second largest criminal industry in the world.  Its perpetrators use powerful methods of force, fraud and coercion to exploit men, women and children through labor and sex trafficking operations.

Top 4 myths about Human Trafficking:

False: Trafficking is forced transportation of people across borders.
True: Trafficking is modern-day slavery through labor/commercial sexual exploitation; it does not require transportation to occur.

False: Trafficking includes only foreign nationals.
True: Many trafficked persons are victims of domestic trafficking -- within the borders of a single country and are themselves nationals of that country.

False: Trafficking is caused by poverty and inequality.
True: Trafficking is not primarily caused by poverty and inequality; this industry is driven by A) the potential for large profit due to high demand B) negligible-to-low risk of prosecution.

False: Trafficking cannot be stopped.
True: Trafficking CAN be stopped. Stopping it requires the collective efforts of government, NGO's, private sector, and the community.  We organize this walk because we believe massive public awareness, increased funding for NGO's, and collaboration among different sectors of society are crucial to stopping Human Trafficking.

DC Stop Modern Slavery

This event is organized entirely by the community volunteers of DC Stop Modern Slavery (DC SMS).

DC SMS is an all-volunteer grassroots organization with over 850 members.  We seek to help end modern slavery through community education and action.  Our diverse membership includes entrepreneurs, lawyers, teachers, business people, military personnel, nurses, authors, bloggers, nonprofit leaders, and many more.  We are brought together by a common desire to build a world without modern slavery and guided by a shared belief that we can affect change if we work together.

With the support of our partners, sponsors, speakers, performers, walkers, and community volunteers, we were able to attract over 2,000 participants and raise over $100,000 last year.  All funds raised will be distributed to anti-trafficking groups working to stop domestic and international trafficking. Please see our partners page for more information.