To help better identify modern day slavery and spot the signs of human trafficking, the Carrollton Dawnbreakers Rotary Club recently partnered with Hope for Justice to provide training for its members. Hope for Justice exists to change lives and end modern slavery. US Team Leader Dr. Richard Schoeberl joined the club for a virtual session to share insights, facts and warning signs on human trafficking.

“At Hope for Justice, we’re a global organization located on five continents,” said Schoeberl. “We exist to prevent exploitation from happening to start with, but also to rescue victims, restore lives and reform society.”

According to Hope for Justice, modern slavery is where one person controls another by exploiting a vulnerability. It is often linked with human trafficking, where a person is forced into a service against their will – usually forced work or prostitution. The control can be physical, financial or psychological. Human trafficking generates more than $150 billion per year, and more than 40.3 million people around the globe are currently victims of forced labor, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude and forced marriage. With the continued advancement of technology, online exploitation has become a popular vehicle for perpetrators. 55% of sex trafficking victims in the US reportedly met and/or were groomed by their traffickers online.

“The stories and statistics shared by Dr. Shoeberl during our session were staggering,” said Emily Wilkins, Club Co-president. “Heartbreaking things are happening – not just in faraway towns and continents, but in the places we call home. While difficult to hear, I’m thankful for this insight and hope that we as a club can use this knowledge to help make a difference in the future of our communities and our world.”

For more information on Hope for Justice, visit https://hopeforjustice.org. To watch a recording of the training session led by Dr. Schoeberl, visit https://www.dawnbreakersrotary.com/spot.