According to those working to combat the problem of sex trafficking in the United States, the average age of a trafficked individual is 12 to 14. This affects 300,000 to 400,000 children, both boys and girls. Eighty three percent of those trafficked are U.S. citizens. Every hour, 42 children are trafficked, seven days a week.
The US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, where nearly every suburb is affected in some way by the human trafficking problem, there is now a growing movement to combat this modern face of slavery ahead of Super Bowl 52, which will take place at the new U.S. Bank Stadium on Feb.4, 2018. Minnesota is taking the lead in fighting human trafficking.
Casey Schutrop, the executive chair of the collaborative 42:7 Project movement said, “Every hour 42 children are trafficked seven days a week. The 42:7 PROJECT public events leading up to and during Super Bowl 52 week will provide a tangible platform for all involved to have a positive presence and to shine light and share the positive answers brought to the dark issues of human trafficking.”
According to Forbes magazine, “Since Super Bowl 2010 in Miami, it has been estimated by national and local task forces, organizations, and initiatives that an estimated 10,000 children are transported to Super Bowl cities to be trafficked during the Super Bowl events(s).”
“Major touring events such as the Super Bowl are catalysts that initiate human trafficking.” said Schutrop. “The children trafficked every year in the U.S. would fill the 66,655 seats in the U.S. Bank Stadium 5 times. This makes the Super Bowl, the ‘Super Bowl’ of sex trafficking,” said Schutrop.
WOW International (WOW Ministries) and the 42:7 Coalition (42:7 Project) launched the 42:7 PROJECT with the “Taking Aim @ Human Trafficking” event at the Stock & Barrel Gun Club in Chanhassen, MN on May 22.
The 42:7 PROJECT is a collaborative movement who seek to enlighten the general public of human trafficking and its impacts locally, nationally, and globally. The 42:7 PROJECT acts as a connector for all of those on the front lines who fight, rescue, legislate, educate, advocate, and bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking.
“The 42:7 PROJECT was made to celebrate the positive answers we can together bring to the harsh reality of human trafficking to combat human trafficking in anticipation of Super Bowl 52, thus the hashtag for the 42:7 PROJECT, #MinnesotaBold,” said Schutrop.
Not For Sale anti-trafficking poster.
“I was shocked at the statistics of human trafficking,” said Tyler Asplund, a guest at the event. “It was encouraging to learn how I, as a younger man, can make a true difference along with the 42:7 PROJECT.”
Deb Winkelman, a volunteer at the event said, “I am involved because as a mother, who is looking out for my children as well as those in my community, I was taken aback how little I knew about this issue. I was completely unaware of how much I could proactively do to safeguard my children, and I now feel so much more well-equipped.”
“The ‘Taking Aim @ Human Trafficking’ fundraiser event was the first event of many for the 42:7 PROJECT,” said Martin Schutrop, director of WOW International, a faith-based 5013c registered non-profit organization.
The group held a ‘Thank You Celebration & Dinner’ June 20 for all of those on the front lines who fight, rescue, legislate, educate, advocate, and bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking in anticipation of Super Bowl 52.
There will be another similar event for the general public, as a celebration and fundraiser on June 29 at the same location at HighView Stables, located on the MN River Bluff on the Eden Prairie border, in Chanhassen, Minnesota. The event is designed to be festive in nature and those interested in attending are being encouraged to invite extended family, friends, children and teens.
To view the invitation for the event on Thursday, June 29th click https://www.427project.org/
Schutrop said the proceeds will go directly to the awareness and education campaign, supporting the coalition with offerings of different things one can sponsor to see a reality.
The money raised from the “Taking Aim @ Human Trafficking” will be used toward larger awareness events leading up to and during the Super Bowl 52 week.
Stop Human Trafficking poster.
The 42:7 PROJECT is an initiative under the auspices of WOW International, a registered 501c3 faith-based non-profit organization. WOW International extends to and abroad to serve marginalized women and children as well as the next generation for a positive future.
More information about the “Taking Aim @ Human Trafficking” fundraising event can be found at https://www.427project.org/
WOW International is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) faith-based organization that seeks to serve and redeem future generations.
Join the #MinnesotaBold in anticipation of Super Bowl 52, as the 42:7 Project brings a national awareness campaign to champion those on the front lines. Discover the positive answers to bring an end to the harsh reality of human trafficking.
Writer Michael Ireland
About the Writer: Michael Ireland is a volunteer internet journalist serving as Chief Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, as well as an Ordained Minister who has served with ASSIST Ministries and written for ANS since its beginning in 1989. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China, and Russia. Please consider helping Michael cover his expenses in bringing news of the Persecuted Church, by logging-on to: https://actintl.givingfuel.
This has been republished with permission from ASSIST News
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