Slavery exists in the world, the United States and even Wyoming.
Many people are unaware of the 29.8 million slaves in the world, but with public involvement, some UW students said they believe that number be diminished.
The University of Wyoming’s chapter of International Justice Mission (IJM) joined other chapters around the U.S. and the world to raise awareness of the human trafficking and slavery that occurs today.
“IJM is an international non-profit; they help to free slavery, raise awareness about human trafficking and injustices in the world,” said IJM member Emily Berger, a freshman majoring in criminal justice.
By standing from 12 a.m. Wednesday to 12 a.m. Thursday, the chapter showed its support to abolish slavery and let others know what is going on. Throughout the day, Berger said, many people had stopped and asked how to get involved.
“It does happen everywhere, we have met a victim from Wyoming,” said UW IJM Chapter President Daniel De Cecco, a senior studying business economics and international studies. “This is just not a big city issue, it can happen in rural areas like Wyoming, too.”
Berger admitted to not knowing that forms of slavery still happened in the U.S. before he became involved in the IJM.
“When I heard that slavery still exists in America, I got really upset about it,” said Berger. “I was raised to treat people equally and right, and that’s why I got into my major, criminal justice.”
De Cecco said there are options to help with IJM’s cause without being a part of the Stand For Freedom. Donations were being accepted during the stand that would go to help IJM rescue people from human trafficking and violence. A petition was circulated asking members of Congress to pass the Human Prioritization Act, which would make human trafficking a higher priority in the US State department, said De Cecco.
De Cecco said he thinks a person can use just about any field of study or career to help in the fight against slavery and human trafficking. People from many different backgrounds have resources that can help, he said.
“If you’re in marketing, you could work with a nonprofit and use that to combat trafficking,” De Cecco said.
Upendra Bahudar Bom is a student from Nepal and a member of UW’s IJM Chapter who is working on a Master’s in environmental policy. He said human trafficking is a huge problem in Nepal and India.
“Girls 16 and above are trafficked through India,” said Bom.
He said he was involved with social justice groups in Nepal and wanted to continue when he came to the U.S. He said he did not think human trafficking was a problem here, but discovered that was not the case. With his help and through IJM, De Cecco and the group, a bill was passed in Wyoming against human trafficking.
Bom said the bill being passed shows that anyone can make a difference.
“I encourage students to be involved in combatting human trafficking in anyway they want,” said De Cecco.
De Cecco said that UW’s slogan is, “Do what you love to undo what you hate,” and he said he believes any background is relevant to help abolish modern-day slavery.
