You may hear this phrase first thing in the morning from a parent or loved one to indicate the time to start the day.
You may hear “Wake up” after a short (or long) cat nap.
But, it’s about time you listen to “Wake Up” when it comes to the topic of human trafficking.
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It’s Time To Be Aware Of The Reality Of Human Trafficking
“Human Trafficking” is defined as “the unlawful act of transporting or forcing people to benefit from their work or services, usually in the form of forced labor or sexual exploitation.”
It’s about time we, as a society, wake up to the terrifying reality of this business happening right under our noses Every. Single. Day.
Thankfully, there are cinematic geniuses in the entertainment industry who have brought this topic to light.
Explosion attended the red carpet premiere of Janet Craig’s film, “Wake Up.”
Craig wrote, directed and starred in the film. He told Explosion this project has been over a decade in the making.
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Photo Courtesy of Madison Conklin
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“Wake Up” is an award-winning film inspired by a true story. It tells the story of some adopted children who became victims of human trafficking.
“A peaceful community is shaken when a pair of adopted youths are targeted and taken by a sex trafficking group. A brave rescue has been mounted, but will it be too late?” the film’s IMDB page reads.
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Foster Youth Are More Vulnerable to Becoming Victims of Trafficking
Craig’s fight to help end human trafficking began when his oldest daughter turned 16 and heard about an organization called “Forever Found”.
“I sat there and listened to this beautiful and articulate girl tell her story of being trafficked. And I knew that I had to do something,” Craig told us. “I wanted to bring the whole world into that room, because I thought if everybody was here they would all feel like I did, like they had to do something. So, that’s all. That’s the inspiration.”
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW0uH9oSp04
follow Guardian Group, “social media sites have allowed traffickers a faster, easier and more effective mechanism to recruit victims.”
Technology is always there, and it poses a huge threat to the youth of the world if not properly monitored.
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Human Trafficking Happens All Around Us
“One of the things we have to realize is that trafficking is happening in every neighborhood in America. Children are being exploited and exploited on social media. And they also exploit themselves on social media. They are also being prepared,” said Craig. “So, a seven-year-old can play a game at home and they don’t know who they’re up against.”
Craig advises parents and/or parent figures to avoid shaming their children and impressionable family members.
“We have to remember that shame traps people, and if we don’t have open discussions with our children, then they won’t have the freedom to tell us when they have something bad happen,” she explained.
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We also spoke to some of the actors from the film.
Neal told us that the role of Ian, who is an adopted son turned dealer, was for him.
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“I was in foster care for like two years, so right when I found out about the movie… I was like, ‘Janet you’ve got to send me. You have to dump me,” Neal excitedly tells us.
I asked Neal if he had ever heard of or seen human trafficking happen while he was in foster care.
Neal Was Raised In The Foster Care System
“They are tearing our family apart and some of the things we are hearing is yes, little girls have been taken advantage of. So, when they separated me and my sister, it was like ‘NOOOO.’ That’s one of the things that my family and I are most worried about,” Neal revealed.
The constant thought in Neal’s mind was, “I hope she’s not taken advantage of, I hope she’s not molested.”
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“It is a big problem. It really touched me,” he said.
Tori Griffith plays the role of “Grace,” a child adopted by a wealthy family who is taken in by a sex trafficker at a party.
He hopes “Wake Up” will make people aware of the fact that human trafficking can happen to anyone.
“I really hope it makes people realize that it can happen to anyone, and anyone can technically be a dealer. Even the nicest person next door. Who knows what they’re doing,” Griffith told us. “Be careful and watch out.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
