Published January 15, 2019
Youth4Abolition™ launches new, “This isn’t my story, but it could be…” video series telling stories of real-life human trafficking stories Youth4Abolition™, an international, anti-human trafficking prevention and awareness program designed for high school youth, launched its new video series recently titled, “This isn’t my story, but it could be…” The video series tells the stories of real girls, ages 12 to 18, who have survived the traumas of domestic minor commercial sex trafficking. Youth4Abolition™ chapter volunteers from local high schools in Charlotte, NC, began working with Digital Media Director, Mamie Neeley, to produce these real-life stories.
“We created these videos to get these girls’ stories out there,” Neeley said. “These girls come from all backgrounds, home situations and neighborhoods. There is not a typical girl that is trafficked. We want to educate others so that it doesn’t happen to them, their siblings or their friends.”
Each year, 100,000 to 300,000 American children become victims of domestic minor sex trafficking. Youth4Abolition™ is a part of On Eagles Wings, a North Carolina-based 11-year old non-profit that runs the Hope House residential safe house to provide recovery and aftercare services for female victims ages 12 to 21.
“These stories come from the personal experiences of just some of the over 350 girls over the past 11 years who have graduated from the Hope House program,” said Cindy Quinlan, International Director for Youth4Abolition™.
The average age of entry into sex trafficking in the U.S. is 13 years old. While some of the victims enrolled in the Hope House program are from North Carolina, others are moved from across state lines to ensure their safety and security.
“There is a passion there with the youth to make a difference in fighting the issue of modern-day slavery, an issue that directly affects their age group,” Quinlan said. “These high school youth are talking to their peers about what’s really going to make a difference.”
Click here to access the “This is not my story, but it could be…” video series. If interested in learning more about how to support Youth4Abolition™ and prevent domestic minor sex trafficking, reach out to us at Cindy@youth4Abolition.com and join the movement!