Body Shop joins campaign against child sex trafficking
Some 79 per cent of human trafficking involves children, young adolescents and women for sexual exploitation, but with statistics available only from reported cases they are probably "just the tip of an ugly iceberg", said Simone Mizzi, The Body Shop...
Some 79 per cent of human trafficking involves children, young adolescents and women for sexual exploitation, but with statistics available only from reported cases they are probably "just the tip of an ugly iceberg", said Simone Mizzi, The Body Shop Malta director.
Because no country, including Malta, can say it is free of involvement, the local outlet has joined the international campaign to Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People, teaming up with Aġenzija Appoġġ to offer the public a chance to challenge "the greatest human rights abuse of the 21st century".
By purchasing the Soft Hands, Kind Heart hand cream, customers will be supporting Appoġġ - €1 from the sale of each product will be donated directly to the national social welfare agency.
The funds are aimed at helping to strengthen its training and support services for vulnerable children and young adults, and to assist it in disseminating information about human trafficking of children and young people for sexual exploitation.
With the world's population set to explode over the next few decades, the trafficking of human beings for exploitation is destined to become the most lucrative criminal industry worldwide, overtaking drugs and arms dealing, which currently are in first and second place, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes.
Appoġġ, within the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, has embarked on the initiative with The Body Shop Malta to convey a stronger message and increase awareness about sex trafficking of children and young people.
Foundation CEO Sina Bugeja stressed on the importance of networking between social partners in the field. The campaign would not only help to generate more awareness about human trafficking but would also assist Appoġġ in future developments of the services provided to the victims of human trafficking.
Globally, the campaign is being held in conjunction with ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes).
More information about the campaign is available on www.thebodyshop.com/stop.
Anyone suspecting acts of human trafficking and victims can report to the police, or call on support line 179.