END IT Movement Continues Campaign To Elicit Global Awareness Of Modern-day Slavery, With Seventh Annual 'Shine A Light On Slavery Day'

ATLANTA, Feb. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- For the seventh consecutive year, the END IT Movement, a coalition of the world's leading organizations in the fight for freedom, is bringing together celebrities, athletes, and Freedom Fighters alike for its annual 'Shine A Light On Slavery' Day on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. On this day, Freedom Fighters across the globe are empowered to raise their voice and advocate for change in a world where slavery still exists. END IT is issuing a call to action today by encouraging people to draw a red "X" on their hand and post to social media using #ENDITMOVEMENT to shine a light on the real-life issue of slavery and share this symbol virally.

With an estimated 40.3¹ million men, women and children trapped in various forms of slavery around the world, including the U.S. (bonded labor, forced labor and sex trafficking), there are more slaves in the world today than at any other time in history.² END IT Movement and its 16 non-profit Coalition Partners are working together to expose the truth behind a reality that most don't realize still exists. The END IT Movement recognizes slavery as one person completely controlling another person, using violence or the threat of violence to maintain that control. Human-trafficking, the modern-day slave trade, refers to the illegal trade of human beings through abduction, the use of threat or force, deception, fraud, or 'sale' for the purposes of sexual exploitation or forced labor.

"The END IT Movement has built a global network of Freedom Fighters from all walks of life who are inspiring people to raise their voices and advocate for action in the fight against slavery," said Jenni Brown, END IT Movement Campaign Director. "With the momentum we've garnered year after year, we continue to see awareness of these inhumane crimes grow. This awareness leads to action where we continue to witness laws changing, bills being passed, and more resources becoming available to not only shine a light on slavery, but also put an end to it." 

'Shine a Light on Slavery' Day has historically elicited a viral response across social media platforms, led by some of the most well-known and respected public figures in the world drawing red X's on their hands. Because of the efforts and voices of celebrities, athletes, and politicians amplifying the message through their social media channels, #ENDITMOVEMENT habitually turns out to be a top-trending topic across popular social platforms. Just last year, the 2018 movement generated an unprecedented 187 million social media impressions capping off an immensely successful one-day campaign.

For more information on how you can join the movement, please visit enditmovement.com.

¹ There's no way to count with 100% accuracy the total number of people trapped in slavery. These men, women and children are part of a hidden population. Conservative estimates by the ILO say the number is as low as 20 million. In 2017, The Global Slavery Index estimated the number is closer to 40.3 million. But to us, the number isn't as important as the people. Even 1 is too many.
² International Labor Organization, The Cost of Coercion Report (2009) retrieved from http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/lang--en/index.htm

About The END IT Movement
END IT is a coalition of 16 non-profit organizations aimed to shine a light on slavery and show the world that the practice still exists. Its members include A21Campaign, Made in a Free World, ECPAT USA, Not for Sale, Free the Slaves, Polaris Project, International Justice Mission (IJM), World Relief, Love 146, World Vision, As Our Own, Bombay Teen Challenge, The Exodus Road, Hagar, Hope for Justice, and The Salvation Army. All of these organizations are working around the globe to rescue, restore and prevent slavery. For more information about these partners, visit www.enditmovement.com.

SOURCE END IT Movement

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