So I haven't been able to post for a while because I've been sooo busy doing exactly what I love! I have been spending time with family and doing a ton of work! Yes it's had it's stressful times, but overall I'm doing what I love and am completely enjoying it! I have been doing blog designs, finishing up some websites, working on logos and business cards and all sorts of graphicy goodness! My favourite project I've been working on has been a website for a charity called
Child Rescue of North America. I really enjoyed working with Lindsay and donating some of my time and talents to help with their wonderful cause. I decided to do an interview with Lindsay to help promote their cause and spread the word about their charity so here's the interview:
- What exactly does Child Rescue of North America do?
Child Rescue is a non-profit organization that exists to fight the horrors of child trafficking.
- Isn't child trafficking mainly happening overseas?
It is true that the numbers are incredibly high in developing countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, and India but child trafficking happens in every region of the world including The US and Canada. This is one of the most important things for us to understand- that this is happening in our own back yard. There are an estimated 1,200 child trafficked into Canada each year and somewhere around 18,000 in the United States. These statistics are shocking to say the least, but when you see and hear the actual stories of young people exploited into sexual slaver you will connect in your mind and your heart that there are thousands upon thousands of these nightmare stories that are being realized right now as we speak.
- Aren't local police taking care of this problem?
They do try but the funding and resources are just no where near where they need to be in order for them to have a chance. Training, equipment, constant incoming tips from the general public need to be provided in order for them to save more kids. They need simple things like servers to hold all of the information on these criminals so that when they are prosecuted they can have more evidence against them. This costs money, so we need to be apart of the solution.
- Are there many other efforts being made to solve these problems?
Unfortunately not enough, human trafficking is the second largest criminal activity on the planet today. Sexual slavery is a nearly 30 billion dollar industry and is growing rapidly. These are huge numbers to combat so we need all the help we can get, but there are amazing government and law enforcement agencies, NGOs, and other groups doing there best to stop this unthinkable problem.
- What is your main goal?
Our mission is to reduce child trafficking in the US and Canada by 90%before the end of 2019.
- How do you plan to accomplish this goal?
We have intended to accomplish this by two main efforts intervention and education. Education will be a comprehensive approach, we are engaging in aggressive public awareness campaigns to generate enough disgust in the community to influence political will. We need to create the demand to end this! We also focus on supporting the actual Task forces that rescue kids from trafficking and we want to help finance education for law enforcement or other agencies so they can be more effective in their efforts. Education also includes teaching indivduals at risk how to avoid becoming trafficking vicitims. Intervention goes hand in hand with these educational models and includes strategies of financing equipment to law enforcement, providing services to victims, creating a tip hot line, and funding rehabilitation facilities.
- How did you first hear about child trafficking?
I believe I first heard about it on the news years and years ago but it wasn't until I recently began to work for Child Rescue that I really understood the scoope of the problem and the startling numbers world wide let alone in the United States and or my home state of Utah.
- Why did you decide to help head up this charity?
I have known the founders for years and they are some of the kindest most selfless people I have ever known but aside from the fantastic team I work with at Child Rescue I am a mother of two small children and I cannot think of a more worthy cause for my time and energy. All children deserve to be safe and to have their childhood preserved. All humanity is worthy of more. I just can't stand by any more.
- Where can I learn more about this issue and how to help?
The most comprehensive report done to date was done by the US State Department Tip Report on Human trafficking 2009. You can find it on their website, also just google human trafficking and you can read and or see any number or articles or new reports on the issue. The information is everywhere, you just need to open your eyes.
- How can I as a regular person help out?
There are many ways in which you can get involved both specifically in Child Rescue as well as in the anti-human trafficking movement. You can contribute your time by volunteering. We have an every increasing need for help in any capacity and Child Rescue staff are willing to figure out with you where and how you can best be involved. Some examples are promoting our benefit concert coming up this fall, working on branding and messaging, fundraising, helping to get the public aware of this issue, and or even just licking envelopes. If you yourself are not in a position to volunteer then you can help connect us to those who can. Your friends, family, or associates maybe willing and able and if you can send them our way we would appreciate it. Also, if you know business owners or influential celebrity type figures that could help our voice be heard you can be that link. You can also always give your money. Donate by visiting our website. You can pledge as little as 3 dollars a week or even contribute a one time $5 donation. Every penny counts. You truly are the difference in this fight!
Being a mother myself, I can't believe that this is happening seriously right in our own backyards! After researching more into the subject, I learned that my very own city is a part of 2 major child trafficking routes in Canada. It was such an eye opener that many of us really do live in a bit of a bubble and I have decided to help out with Child Rescue where I can. If you'd like to help out as well or donate, feel free to email Lindsay at
childrescue@rescuingkids.org or visit their website at www.rescuingkids.org 
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