New Promotional Video via MTV

LONDON, United Kingdom, 13 July 2009 — Starting today, MTV audiences around the world will see a new music video that aims to raise awareness about sex trafficking. Featuring the rock band The Killers, the video is an exclusive collaboration between UNICEF, MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) and the US Agency for International Development.

The track, Goodnight, Travel Well, is from the album Day & Age. The video is the second in a series of music video collaborations that highlight the danger and impact of human trafficking.

The series launched last year with an award-winning film - produced by MTV EXIT that featured the Radiohead single All I Need.

"We are deeply shocked and appalled that women and children are forced into such exploitative situations, said a spokesperson for The Killers. We hope that through MTV's efforts, and this powerful video, millions of people across the world learn about this tragic form of modern-day slavery."

The video for Goodnight, Travel Well has the potential to reach more than 500 million households in 168 countries.

There is almost no country in the world now that isnt affected by human trafficking in some way, said UNICEF Chief of Child Protection Susan Bissell. The statistics are staggering. More than 1.2 million children are being trafficked each year and nearly 80 per cent of all trafficking is for sexual exploitation, and the most at risk are girls.

We see this music video as a powerful way to reach out and raise awareness among young people, across borders and across language barriers, she added.

The Goodnight, Travel Well video was directed by film and music video veteran David Slade, in collaboration with the renowned production company Anonymous Content. The creative concept was developed by the Australian advertising agency CRC, with support from the UK music consultancy Huge Music.

The video provides insight into the realities of trafficking, with a particular focus on the trafficking of children and adolescents into forced prostitution.

For more information, please vist:
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/uk_50248.html

*Video and article provided by Unicef via Youtube*

The Local Strip Club

"There are 27 million people sold across borders into bondage today. 50% of the victims are minors, roughly 80% are girls and women. That's about twice the combined population of London and New York. Human beings are trafficked from 127 countries to be exploited in 137 countries around the world. We are committed to see this change for the better." ~Justice&Care

I was chatting with someone not too long ago and they were commenting on how they went into a local strip club that lost it's liquor licence. The person made a joke about how the bartender told him that he had to buy an apple juice or a pop before the girls would dance for him, at which point he walked over to the girls (3 of them standing against a wall), looked each one up and down and then proceeded to tell the bartender that these girls were not worth and apple juice or a pop and walked out.

Funny? Not really. Sad it more like it. I had forgotten all about this strip bar and I wondered how many of the girls within were there due to human trafficking. I also wondered if they heard that disparaging comment made about their "worth" and the repercussions of the lack of customers.

I did proceed to reprimand this person for his behaviour and comments made; however, the words and plea I made on behalf of these women fell upon apathetic ears. What does he care about the mental, emotional, physical, let alone spiritual well-being of these women? He doesn't. He doesn't care. These women are for his enjoyment...if he chooses. They are nothing more than objects. Toys to his fantasy. He forgets that they are human. That they think and feel. That they too want to dream, to succeed, to be valued and cherished...to be safe and to be loved. Loved not abused. Loved.

This got me to thinking about what I could do. How can I make a difference in these girls' lives...I am thinking and praying about it...Consider the strip clubs around your area and how many of the girls involved have been sold into that business. What can you do to help them? They need someone to stand up for them, defend them...they need community, they need to be set free. How can you help? How can I help? It is not a matter of just shutting the strip clubs down, it is a matter of relationship. Authentic Life giving, God honouring relationship...what can we do to help? What will we do to help?

A Must See

Go Here and watch the video in the bottom right hand corner TO THE END!!! PLEASE!

Please.