Save Our Kids - SWAT League

from Forbes Living magazine Fall 2020

by forbesfactor

STORYTELLING SUCCESS Tell your

FORBESLIVING

FALL 2020

Save Our KIDS

There is a global mission, urgently burning, to help save youth all around the world, and in the USA, from a horrific reality: modernday human trafficking. Together, athletes, other celebrities and several nonprofits have banded together to help bring awareness and solutions to this problem, which too many people think is something in our ancient past, very uncommon, or “only happens to other people.” Right now, in our own communities, there is the very real and widely pervasive horror of human trafficking and modern slavery.

In fact, human trafficking is the fastest growing and most profitable crime in the world today. The FBI estimates there are more than 100,000 girls (ages 9-19) being trafficked in the United States. The average target age for girls is 13 and 12 for boys. Only an estimated 1% of victims are able to escape this life.

This isn’t just a problem for the impoverished, minorities and immigrants, runaways or sex workers, as many people assume. Human trafficking impacts every race and every social demographic. According to the FBI, every 6 seconds another person becomes a victim of human trafficking, and while some segments of society may be at higher risk, young people from every walk of life are vulnerable. Click here for resources.

This isn’t just an American problem, either. From a global perspective, the numbers are equally staggering. In data reports from 2016, 40.3 million people were estimated to be in modern slavery. This translates to approximately 5.4 people out of every 1,000 individuals in the world who are victims of modern slavery, and 1 out of every 4 victims of modern slavery is a child. Click here for more statistics.

Tiffany is the founder of a nonprofit organization that is fighting to rescue victims and help them become survivors. She was a victim of rape and years of sexual, mental, and physical abuse, herself. Although she wasn’t technically trafficked, her personal story of surviving repeated sexual assault and abuse, then breaking free ignited a personal mission for her. When she became aware of this widespread crime and the intimate trauma each victim endures once entering into human trafficking rings, Tiffany erupted with action! She formed her own organization 10 years ago, yet struggled to get anyone to pay attention. Recently, Tiffany joined forces with a national movement that has a similar mission as hers: Sports World Against Trafficking (SWAT).

Tiffany explains that together, their directive is to explode awareness on a national scale. They have leveraged the celebrity of sports figures to make everyone more vigilant and to help recognize the signs of human trafficking. With specific strategies, we can stop the cycle of this insidious crime that is destroying the lives of young people impacted by this cruelty. SWAT uses a 4-pillar formula to Enlighten, Educate, Engage, Empower and Eradicate to accomplish their goals.

“Technology and media are our key components in really making an impact through our organizations. SWAT has been working tirelessly on developing and launching an app and producing a comprehensive curriculum addressing the reality of sex trafficking. Both of these projects are aimed at empowering people everywhere with ways that they can get involved and become the solution to this wildly profitable exploitation and abuse of predominantly young people all over the country,” said Tiffany.

Having more people stand up to this epidemic is the ultimate solution, Tiffany explained. “We need more people to be aware of who, what, where and why this is so prevalent. Seeing famous people step up and recognize there is a huge problem, and demonstrating that they want to be a part of the change is a powerful motivator to the masses, and that giant platform is what is needed to really make an impact.”

The developments underway come with fairly large price tags: technology development and the production of the documentary are expensive, so a portion of their efforts are being focused on

fundraising. Tiffany said, “Money raised will go towards some amazing technology, keeping the organization’s mission running, partnering with other organizations to collaborate for a widespread impact, and the production of a film that will save so many lives.”

When asked about the impact these projects will have on saving lives, Tiffany said, “People need to know how this is happening, that it can happen in their neighborhood, how to spot the signs, and how best to monitor their kids’ activities so that they don’t end up in a dangerous situation. Also, kids need to be educated so they don't easily fall victim and know how to be smart and stay as safe as possible.”

Not only is SWAT leveraging the celebrity power of sports figures, but they are also joining forces with many other passionate people with the same mission and goals. Together, this effort will be a force to be reckoned with.

There are several ways that anyone can Get Involved to make an impact right now, including Making a Donation and Taking the Pledge.

Tiffany says that small donations are as appreciated as large donations. “Times are tough, but for example, if 100,000 people were to donate $10.00 that equals $1 million dollars. Power is in the numbers.” There is a link you can simply and safely donate to: www.fundly.com/SWAT. Your donation is greatly appreciated, and your prayers are also needed. This mission is not an easy one, but it must be done.

#SAVETHECHILDREN