TAMPA – Human trafficking is the third most profitable criminal activity following drugs and arms trafficking and a class of University of Tampa students wants to spread the word and educate the student body on this criminal activity on the rise.
Denis Rey’s Introduction to Peace Studies class is putting to gether a Stop Human Trafficking Event as part of a class project on April 12 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Vaughn Courtyard.
Human trafficking is the practice of people being tricked or otherwise removed from their home or country, and then forced to work with no or low payment or on terms which are highly exploitative. It is also the highest-growing criminal industry in the world.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, over 80 percent of human trafficking victims are women and the industry makes over $9.5 million a year. Fifty percent of all victims are under the age of 15.
As part of the Introduction to Peace Studies class, students are required to hold a rally that promotes peace and this year the students chose to look into Human Trafficking.
“UT students will be encouraged to think globally and act locally,” Rey said.
Megan Smith said that the project began as the usual class requirement but after some research the students became interested in the topic.
“Many people think of it as an international problem, but the truth is that it happens in the United States pretty often, including Florida,” Smith said.
The event will also help workers specifically in the Clearwater/Tampa area.
“Here in the Tampa area, migrant workers are sometimes exploited by being made to work long hours at little pay,” Rey said. “The students are engaged in a petition drive seeking to improve the working conditions and pay of these individuals.”
By attending the event you could help change the conditions many Tampa workers have to deal with.
Right now there is only one shelter in the U.S. that is designed to meet the needs of trafficked victims.
The rally will include speakers from the community who will share information about the efforts to combat human trafficking in the Tampa/Clearwater area.
Students will also read personal accounts of victims of human trafficking. The rally is going to be filled with fun and entertaining events such as tie-dying T-shirts and the chance to win gifts from local businesses. There will be food and music.
came very interested in the topic, myself included,” states Megan Smith, a student participating in the event.
“The goal is to raise awareness of the students about Human Trafficking. Many people think of it as an international problem, but the truth is that it happens in the United States pretty often, including Florida.”
The event will also help workers specifically in the Clearwater/Tampa area. “Here in the Tampa area, migrant workers are sometimes exploited by being made to work long hours at little pay.
The students are engaged in a petition drive seeking to improve the working conditions and pay of these individuals,” said Rey.
By attending the event you could help change the conditions many Tampa workers have to deal with.
While the event will be informative, it will also be entertaining and a great time!
“The rally will include speakers from the community who will share information about the efforts to combat human trafficking in the Tampa/Clearwater area.
Students will also read personal accounts of victims of human trafficking.
The rally is going to be filled with fun and entertaining events such as tie-dying T-shirts and the chance to win gifts from local businesses. There will be food and music,” states Rey.
As the total annual revenue for human trafficking is estimated to be between $5 billion and $9 billion, the rally to stop human trafficking is becoming more and more important.
“UT students will be encouraged to think globally and act locally.”