END IT Movement Makes Global Mass Awareness Push For Modern-Day Slavery With Sixth Annual 'Shine A Light On Slavery' Day

ATLANTA, Feb. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- For the sixth 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, February 22, 2018. On this day, Freedom Fighters across the globe are empowered to raise their voice and awake the world to the reality that slavery still exists.

With an estimated 20 – 45.8¹ 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. 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.

"The END IT Movement has become a global phenomenon, inspiring people from all walks of life to raise their voices and show their passion in the fight against slavery," said Jenni Brown, END IT Movement Campaign Director. "This movement continues to be about awareness, but more importantly, this awareness leads to action. Laws are changing, bills are being passed, and more resources are becoming available thanks to Freedom Fighters who continue to charge forward and shine a light on slavery."

In the past, 'Shine a Light on Slavery' Day has created a viral campaign through social media platforms, led by influencers drawing red X's on their hands. Because of the efforts and voices of celebrities, athletes, and politicians amplifying the message through their social channels, #ENDITMOVEMENT becomes a top-trending topic on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Just last year, the 2017 movement generated an unprecedented 324 million social media impressions capping off an immensely successful one-day campaign.

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.

For more information on how you can join, 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 2016, The Global Slavery Index estimated the number is closer to 45.8 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