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Event raises awareness of Salvation Army’s efforts to combat trafficking.
Hundreds of commuters and tourists walking past The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters in central London recently encountered human “slaves” for sale at a makeshift market stall.
Salvation Army representatives from the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland organized the slave sale to highlight Anti-Slavery Day, which is marked across Europe on Oct.18. The “sale” attempted to draw attention to the various ways people of all ages and backgrounds can be trafficked and forced to work for little or no pay, often under threat of violence.
The Salvation Army in the U.K. works with the government to support victims of human trafficking, providing secure accommodation when needed and care to meet the needs of this vulnerable group of people in England and Wales. It is just one of many Salvation Army projects worldwide that address the causes and outcome of trafficking.
A pamphlet given to passers-by included stories of people helped by The Salvation Army and revealed that “in less than two years more than 800 victims of human trafficking have been supported by The Salvation Army and its partners.”
Major Anne Read, anti-trafficking response coordinator for the UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland, joined Salvation Army team members during the “sale,” speaking to people who stopped to watch the awareness-raising event. She said she received a positive response, with passers-by interested in what was happening and grateful to learn more about such an important issue.
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