TEAR Fund Highlights Modern Day Slavery On UN Day

TEAR Fund Highlights Modern Day Slavery On UN Day

While slavery was abolished in Britain 167 years ago, there are more slaves today than at any other time in history.

TEAR Fund is standing up for those in slavery today as part of the UN’s International Day of the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition Friday August 23rd.

Through its Live Below the Line challenge this month, TEAR Fund is encouraging Kiwis to live on $2.25 for five days this September in order to give them a glimpse into the lives of people living in extreme poverty.

TEAR Fund CEO, Ian McInnes says there is an obvious connection between poverty and trafficking. “Desperate people who have nothing are easily seduced by the promises of traffickers. Often it is the most vulnerable who are taken away from their families.”

“The issue is serious, but we can fight against it. Raising awareness and funds through campaigns like Live Below the Line is a simple and effective way to join our voices against the evils of modern day slavery and standing up for the poor.” Says Mr. McInnes.

It’s estimated that 27 million are in slavery across our planet. The average age of a trafficking victim is only 12 years old.

Money raised as people ‘live below the line’ will go towards TEAR Fund’s human trafficking prevention work. TEAR Fund works with organizations across South East Asia rescuing and rehabilitating those who have been trafficked into a supportive group environment.

TEAR Fund’s partner in the field NVader is one such organization dedicated to saving girls in bondage. NVader uses undercover Kiwi detectives who pose as customers in brothels around the world, gather compelling evidence against the traffickers and prosecute those in charge.

To support TEAR Fund’s Live Below the Line campaign go to
https://www.livebelowtheline.com/nz-tearfund.

ENDS

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