Since January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, I want to introduce you to Megan Stephens.
According to The Guardian, Megan was forced into being a sex slave at the age of fourteen. She met the man in Greece and thought she was in love. The man later went from being very nice to mean and brutal towards her. Megan lost her virginity when a different man paid to rape her. Over the next six years, she was forced to be sell herself in places such as hotels, brothels, and on the streets.
The United Nations estimates there are approximately 2.4 million people in the world who have been victims of human trafficking. 80?percent of the victims of human trafficking are forced into sex slavery. A single worker can earn between L500-L1000 a week. Megan says she used to earn that much in a single day. During the time in the brothel, she once had to perform with 110 men in a single night before she became extremely sick.
After six years, Megan suffered a psychotic episode and was hospitalized for three months. During this time away, she was able to share part of her story with the hospital staff. Her mother was contacted and eventually they reunited. Megan is now trying to rebuild her life. From her experience, she suffers from PTSD among other challenges.
Being a mother myself with two kids in this age range, reading about this makes me more protective of my children. These stories show why we need to be involved in their lives and know their friends. Megan’s mother was not that involved in her life, nor was she paying attention. As parents, we should also pay attention to the friends? lives as well.
According to the FBI,?human trafficking is a problem in most countries, including the United States. Immigrants and runaways are often targets for those who smuggle and traffic people. It is a modern day form of slavery. Slaves can be forced to work in domestic and restaurant occupations as well. The people in charge of the slaves will use emotional, mental, and physical intimidation to make the people obey.
Human trafficking forces people into bondage, destroys families, and is an attack on human rights. We all need to be vigilant and actively campaign to end human trafficking.
