NEWS WRITER COMES TO BA!

Jefferson Awards News writer,  Kathryn Caravan, comes to BA to interview the BCD's, Benedictine Cor Defenders (of the  Heart).   She came to hear their story.  It is the story of their journey to protect the dignity and rights of young people against the victimization of human trafficking, modern slavery.

Have you ever wondered what type of questions news writers ask?  Here is a little behind the scenes insight as to the story behind the story:

Why did you initially get involve this advocacy in our society?
Eileen shares:  I remember being at a Polaris Workshop to learn more about human trafficking.  The FBI showed a photo of a recent human trafficking bust at a hair salon.  I thought, "Oh my, I know that hair salon. I pass it when I go to visit my grandmother. " It was then that I realized that it is true that human trafficking could happen in any city, in any state, to any person, regardless of economic status or nationality. 

How did you feel about it when you found about it?  What work are you doing now as abolitionists?  What do you hope you will accomplish?  

Jada shares that we want to "bee the hope".  We try to bring the darkness of evil into the light by raising awareness about this hideous crime.  If people know the signs and dangers of human trafficking, they will not fall victim to the lies and deceits of the perpetrators. 

• Don't talk to strangers anywhere, but especially on the internet.
• Always tell someone where you are going and with whom.
• Don't go out alone to isolated areas or at unconventional times.
• Don't meet anyone that your family or friends do not know. 
• Keep the National Human Trafficking Hotline Number in your cell phone. 1-888-3737-888.
• If you "see something, say something".  Call the National Hotline Number. It is anonymous and they will connect with the local police.  
• Polaris National Hotline is an excellent resource for general information and answers to questions.

Ewa recalls on how her grandmother was oppressed as a child performing slave labor in Poland.  Human Trafficking is when another human being is forced, coerced, or exploited for the purpose of slave labor, debt bondage or sexual exploitation.  There are 27 million people enslaved across the globe today.  No one chooses to be treated without respect or to not be free.  

Vanessa shares on how it is a moral crisis in our society and across the globe.  "People do not have God in their heart so that are doing the wrong things, consumed by greed and self-gratification."

It was only recently that Karol began to enjoy Hershey chocolate again after hearing that they finally agreed to change their labor practices for the gathering of cocoa beans and safeguard against child slave labor.  Benedictine Academy, along with hundreds of other concerned citizens and religious organizations, has been petitioning Hershey chocolate to change their labor practices overseas for six years!

Sydney, Joyce, Marina, Karina, and Kayla also shared their beliefs that we need to become educated because in knowledge, there is power.  We can and will make a difference in abolishing human trafficking in our country.