As we mentioned before, April is nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness month. We took a look at the national numbers of children being abused, how to look for signs of abuse, and how to have a hand in the fight to bring awareness to the epidemic.
It’s important to know that it doesn’t only exist in our neighborhoods. Child abuse is prevalent and looks different all across the globe. In 2013, the United States government found that the governments of South Sudan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Syria, Yemen, Myanmar, Sudan, and Somalia recruited or used children in their armed forces. The United States gives military assistance to six of these countries: South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, Myanmar, Central African Republic and Somalia.
This led The United States government, who provides military assistance to six of these countries, to sign the Child Soldiers Prevention Act into law in 2008. This act was designed to “was designed to encourage governments to disarm the children in their national armies as well as release them from military service and help them reintegrate back into their communities.” World Vision
The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is a government tool used to involve foreign governments on human trafficking. The TIP is the world’s most complete source of governmental anti-human trafficking efforts and provides “an updated, global look at the nature and scope of trafficking in persons and the broad range of government actions to confront and eliminate it.” The government of the United States is committed to the issue of human rights. Organizations such as World Vision and International Justice Mission work around the clock, dedicating their ministry to the rescue and rehabilitation of children (as well as men and women) forced into slave labor and sex trafficking.
You can research statistics and findings through reports provided by
The Global Slavery Index (GSI)
Trafficking in Persons (TIP)
International Labour Organization (ILO)
"The bottom line is that this is no time for complacency. Right now, across the globe, victims of human trafficking are daring to imagine the possibility of escape, the chance for a life without fear, and the opportunity to earn a living wage." – John F. Kerry, Secretary of State
Find out more on how you can get involved and impact communities by visiting IJM or World Vision.