#SaveTheChildren Part 1: Are We Making Progress?

Close your eyes and envision yourself on December 31, 2019. Did you ever in your life expect to see what 2020 had coming for us? I surely didn’t. It definitely brings new meaning to the phrase, “Hindsight 2020” doesn’t it? With so many unprecedented events taking place across the globe this year it’s hard to keep up to be honest.

Take for example, the recent trending hashtags #SaveTheChildren and/or #SaveOurChildren. A movement designed to help end and speak out about human trafficking that is clearly picking up speed world-wide. “Within three weeks, we had 18,000 members. So then I post on that group, ‘everyone make a group for your area. If we get groups going all over the place we can start an actual movement with this,’ and it happened,” Sheri Luna Meyer a ‘Save The Children,’ founding member said.

However, some say the trending hashtags are a misuse of the trademarked name  Save the Children which is an international humanitarian organization that has been protecting children around the world for more than 100 years. A movement which began in 1919 and was founded by a woman named Eglantyne Jebb. She was driven by the belief that all children, no matter who they are or where they are have a right to a healthy, happy and fulfilling life.

However, some say the trending hashtags are a misuse of the trademarked name  Save the Children which is an international humanitarian organization that has been protecting children around the world for more than 100 years. A movement which began in 1919 and was founded by a woman named Eglantyne Jebb. She was driven by the belief that all children, no matter who they are or where they are have a right to a healthy, happy and fulfilling life.

So back to the original question? Are we making progress with the #SaveTheChildren movement? Are those of us fighting to end human trafficking being heard? The short answer, in my opinion, is yes. The long answer is yet to be determined. When first writing this article I was convinced that we are making progress because it seems you can’t go a day without seeing or hearing #SaveTheChildren. It floods my social media accounts and I myself use the hashtags but I found out there are clearly some illusions with this trending movement that need to be addressed, immediately!

Is it possible that a movement that promises to help children actually end up hurting them? Some say, yes. How? Let’s start with #SaveTheChildren rallies. More and more people are taking an interest and participating in rallies and marches across the globe raising awareness to end human trafficking. Typically a topic that often goes unnoticed but is suddenly gaining a plethora of attention. For those fighting to end human trafficking this is exactly the kind of attention we want, right? We want to be seen and heard from the roof tops no doubt!! Unfortunately, sometimes the human trafficking information they’re providing is not always accurate, which can be misleading. They may use imagery that is contrary to how human trafficking typically takes place and that is definitely a disservice to the actual work being done to stop this type of exploitation. Participants say events raise awareness of child trafficking, but human trafficking experts say events are actually spreading false information - and they say that could be even more dangerous.

While that may be true and unfortunate at the same time, either way, the #SaveTheChildren movement is making headway. Those who didn’t want to believe that human trafficking was happening in their own communities, let alone their neighborhoods are starting to take a stand and raise awareness that in fact it does happen and it is time to take action whether you’re pounding the pavement or yelling it from the rooftops, human trafficking must end and it starts with you.

If you are or believe you have identified someone in a trafficking situation, you can take action. Call 911 immediately to notify local law enforcement. You may also call the human trafficking hotlines in Canada and the United States by dialling the numbers below. Both hotlines are open 24/7/365 days of the year and provide services in over 200 languages.