Thanks EF, I tried to keep it as basic and easy to follow as possible, as the whole issue can be quite complicated... Also the numbers have probably grown since writing this (unfortunately), so it is pretty generalised.  Putting your head in the sand doesn't make problems like this go away and nobody is safe... Look at this article detailing a child pornography ring that was discovered on the East Coast of Australia last month - 1 year old children were involved/abused. 

Oh man!  It gets worse every time I hear more.  I know that I live a 'nice, normal, ordinary life' that barely scrapes the surface of this kind of horror, but through work and stuff I have discovered a lot about how low (is that the right word?) people can be.  This is unreal!!! 

Oh dear, it is so emotive as well - to imagine what the parents may go through as well as the children.  Good on you again for highlighting it - not enough can be done to raise awareness.

Here's to a better year for those suffering as a result, even if they dont know it.

Peace
EF.x

The thing that is really depraved is child sex tourism... People seem to think that this is limited to poorer countries; it happens everywhere & it even happens in luxury hotels in Australia.  Anyone who is naive enough to think that it could never affect them; or that there is nothing they can do about such things is really helping industries like this to grow by turning a blind eye to it.

Yes, here's to a better year of people becoming more enlightened, aware and caring for their fellow human beings no matter where they are.

Thanks for the feedback Toni, a lot of people turn a blind eye as they think it doesn't affect them... Well abuse knows no economic boundaries and no country, city or town is excepted from this dark shadow.

Thank you Tee, I think it is important for people to think globally. xox

You don't need to get on your soapbox Janice, I'm on it (it was higher than mine).  LOL... Seriously, when you look into the depth of these issues and realise how rife they are, I fail to see how anyone can still think it won't affect them.

We are all part of the global community, and every time an crime is committed against another human, and goes unpunished, or ignored - we condone it.  Turning a blind eye and looking after ourselves and our own interests will not cut it in the long run.  Who do you think will be looking after you, if you don't care for others?  What is your purpose in life if you think it is ok for your local authorities and government to look after you, but not worry about other people? 

Look around your home... Where do your clothes, toys, food, furniture, furnishings, cosmetics etc. come from?  It does effect each and every one of us, and as consumers, we have the power to create change.  Perhaps companies should start with some ethical labelling to go along with the rest of their product info. 

I whole heartly agree with you LUi about  some form of ethical labelling, on any product that we purchase. I've written many letters to governing bodies, to which i've had no response....really makes me so angry....it's like if it's not happening to my family...i don't want to know about it.

Companies rely on people having the attitude that there isn't anything they can do about it... The buck stops with every single one of us.  What our children need to survive and grow, compared to what we give them and what they want are entirely different things. 

No matter what you are purchasing, you can do research into the company and look up their websites, and consumer info lines and ask them about where they source their products.  It isn't about halting commerce, it is about stepping up to the plate as a community and forcing the big companies to be accountable. 

The thing with child abuse is that nobody wants to see it... Yet nearly every time it is in the media, a neighbor or some associate to the family goes, oh yeah, I thought something like that would happen, or they were weird or something along those lines.  Don't ever allow yourself to be THAT person, and open your eyes if you are remotely concerned and follow your heart.

PS - You asked what we can do as individuals.  Well there are heaps of things, and it only takes a moment.  We all have the internet at our finger tips, so we are all quite capable of making a difference.

After a quick glance at my kitchen bench, I decided to send this email off to Cadbury and Nestle.  I edited it to say coffee products and sent it off to Moccona and Cafe Palazzo as well.  It is a small step, but it is a start to making our own Minti list about what response companies give.

To Whom It May Concern

I am currently a consumer of your products and as such, I would like to verify whether or not your cocoa products are supplied by ethical sources.

Are you able to guarantee that none of the labourers working on the cocoa plantations / farms that your products come from are victims of human trafficking, child labour, bonded or forced labour?

Regards

Luisa Foliaki
Consumer and Mother

Look like an interesting article at a glance...i haven't been able to read it all yet but i just wanted to comment.....I think it is fairly common knowledge that a lot of these brands, smaller ones as well, are owned by huge conglomerates and they basically get away with murder.

Chocolate being a subject close to my heart i shall go back and read further!

I decided to write a brief article on it, unfortunately it is in the sin bin, and then it will need editing and no doubt go back again.  N E hoo, you might find the Fair Trade Families group quite interesting, I know that I need to visit it more and contribute more too.

Thanks, i am already in it...doesn't get too much action in there but i will go and have another look, cheers!

LOL, you are so rich for having those three tear aways, and you know it!   Yes, it is highly profitable, as you can imagine.

They use kids for war, slaves, porn... They take young women to be prostitutes, sex slaves, breeders for the baby trade.  There are so many people born into bonded situations that they are virtually slaves anyway. 

They ship them to western countries as cheap labour, they lure them under pretext of a better life and steal their money and passports.  You have a vivid imagination, if you can think of it, they are making money out of it.

Thanks Teshia, people seem to think that this is something from the past, or that it only happens in far away countries... It happens right under our noses, and we don't see it, as we aren't aware of it.  Left to it's own devices, it will continue to grow, as it is a thriving global industry. 

Human trafficking occurs in the UK, Canada, the USA, New Zealand and Europe...  When adults are trafficked, their children are born into slavery or bonded labour situations, including prostitution etc.  The people who do this are not going to give up easily, next to drugs and arms, it is the 3rd most profitable business in the world.

What kind of world are we living in, that we allow this to continue?

OMG Lui, I knew all of this happened but not to what extent. What is our world coming to? We need to put a stop to this NOW! Thanks for all the information, it's truely interesting (and heartbreaking) to read about this - really gives you a kick into reality! xxoo

It's not really big news headline stuff, I guess it isn't sordid or able to be manipulated enough to get attention.  It is most likely cheaper for governments to turn a blind eye than rescue and rehabilitate people.