Human trafficking

The mayor of a New Jersey town has refused to comply with Japanese officials' request to remove a public memorial dedicated to Korean women who were used as sex slaves by Japanese military forces during WWII.

The officials visited the New Jersey town of Palisades Park, home to some 20,000 residents of Korean decent, earlier this month to ask the city to remove its public memorial paying tribute to women abused by Japanese forces during WWII as "comfort women."

"In memory of more than 200,000 women and girls who were abducted by the armed forces of the government of imperial Japan. Known as 'comfort women,' they endured human rights violations that no peoples should leave unrecognized. Let us never forget the horrors of crimes against humanity," the plaque dedicated to the thousands of women who faced forced prostitution reads. more >>

"Trade of Innocents," a film about child victims of human trafficking, was previewed to rave reviews at Yale Law School a few weeks ago and The Christian Post recently had the opportunity to speak with one of the film's producers about the movie, about why telling the story of human trafficking through the lens of a feature film is powerful, as well as how the subject matter is important for both Christian and mainstream audiences.

Jim Schmidt, a Los Angeles-based film producer and award-winning actor who has been in films such as Billy Graham's "The Climb," and the 1980s film "Super Christian," signed on to co-produce "Trade of Innocents" after global activists Bill and Laurie Bolthouse of Breckenridge, Colo., approached him.

The Bolthouse's have been involved in global health and justice issues for years and became inspired to make a feature film about child trafficking after their paths converged with young victims of the human trade and those who work as investigators and rescuers to free them. more >>

NEW YORK - Restore NYC, a faith-based nonprofit created in 2006 to help rebuild the lives of foreign-born survivors of sex trafficking in New York City, celebrated its third annual gala Tuesday night to raise funds for restoring freedom and hope to survivors of sex trafficking.

The Christian Post was on hand for the event, held at City Winery in downtown Manhattan, and spoke to volunteers, staff members, and other attendees about the importance of Restore NYC and its mission to assist survivors of one of the fastest growing transnational crimes on Earth.

Current Executive Director of Restore NYC Jimmy Lee began working with the organization in 2008 by volunteering as a board member. Lee had been working for several years on global health issues, particularly HIV/AIDS, and quickly realized that it was women and girls who are most affected by not only the disease – but injustice. more >>

NEW YORK - Restore NYC, a faith-based nonprofit created in 2006 to help rebuild the lives of foreign-born survivors of sex trafficking in New York City, celebrated its third annual gala Tuesday night and artists Amy Lee, Paula Cole, and Ashley Arrison were on hand to perform at the event.

The Christian Post attended the event at New York City's City Winery in downtown Manhattan and had the opportunity to speak to the three vocalists about why they volunteered to perform for Restore NYC and what faith has to do with their music.

"I got inspired by Restore when I found out about it – I think it's been two years now. My husband and I have both been really passionate about it," Lee, of Evanescence, told CP. "This year they were trying to find someone and I was like, ' you know what I want to do this and I am going to call some really cool friends who might sing with me.'" more >>

Prostitution is often not a "choice," according to Faith Huckel of the sex trafficking organization Restore NYC.

Restore NYC is a non-profit organization created to help rebuild the lives of survivors of sex trafficking in New York City through "restoring freedom, safety and hope for foreign-born survivors of sex trafficking."

Sex trafficking is one of the fastest growing transnational crimes across the U.S. – but the scope of the problem is difficult to detect as victims are often mistaken for and treated as criminals, and not victims of modern day slave trade. more >>

Baby girl Falak has tragically lost her battle for life after a brave fight against severe injuries suffered in horrific circumstances.

The two-year-old was first brought to a hospital in New Delhi by a young girl claiming to be her mother, but in reality her mother and two sisters had fallen prey to human traffickers. According to Zee News of India, Falak's mother was tricked into a second marriage with the promise of security for her daughters. Unfortunately the family was separated and subjected to cruel abuse.

At the time of her admission on Jan. 18, Falak was suffering from two broken arms, a smashed skull, and was covered in human bite marks. She managed to survive five operations and was showing signs of improvement, according to doctors. Falak was actually due to be released soon but suddenly suffered cardiac arrest and passed away. more >>