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Screening of 'Call + Response' calls for response to human trafficking

By Susie Skowronek GVL Laker Life Editor
1/24/2010

Across 161 countries, 27 million people - a number greater than the Texas population - act as modern slaves due to the illegal practice of human trafficking, according to the Polaris Project, one of the largest anti-trafficking organizations with a presence in the U.S. and Japan.

Due to the prevalence of trafficking, which occurs even in the U.S., students have prepared an event to raise awareness of the criminal practice.

"Call + Response" (Fair Trade Pictures, 2008), a "rockumentary" film that uncovers secrets behind human trafficking, will show at 7 p.m. both Feb. 25 in the Grand River Room of the Kirkhof Center and Feb. 26 in the Loosemore Auditorium of DeVos Center.

The Christian Response Team, a division within Campus Ministry that extends volunteer opportunities on campus and around the Grand Rapids area, will host the event. The CRT also informs the community about global issues, such as human trafficking.

Human trafficking is the selling of humans for labor or sex exploitation.

"There are more people enslaved in the world today than any other time in history," said event coordinator Kari Galbreath. "We believe that the enormity of this issue crosses religious, cultural, and social barriers."

The film takes a non-religious point of view, sharing the perspectives of musical artists, actors, politicians and victims. Popular figures making appearances include Natasha Bedingfield, Five for Fighting and Switchfoot.

According to the film, traders made $32 billion on human trafficking in 2007 - more than Nike, Google and Starbucks combined.

"Slaves are being used for dirty and dangerous jobs, and we need to face up to the fact that western economies are pushing the demand for their exploitation," said the members of musical group Switchfoot in the film. "The U.N. Security Council has never even discussed the question of slavery, much less fulfilled its own commitments to uphold anti-slavery agreements."

Galbreath said traders escape notice because many people do not know about human trafficking.

"I feel like it's such a huge, global issue, and not a lot of people are aware of it," she said. "Slaves are undercover - it's not out in the open."

According to the film, more than 2.2 million children are sold into the sex trade every year, and in India, these children cost less than cattle.

Galbreath said CRT hopes to rally students for the film and give them an understanding of the enslavement that exists worldwide.

Volunteer organizations - the International Justice Mission, Invisible Children, Women at Risk, Bethany Christian and Free the Slaves - will have representatives at the event to recruit student volunteers.

"The goal of bringing the film to GVSU is to raise awareness and to challenge our behaviors and institutions that perpetuate modern slavery," Galbreath said.

The filmmakers include a list of 33 responses, which the CRT will distribute at the event.

Some responses include purchasing fair trade goods, encouraging companies to operate with fair practices and calling this issue to the attention of state representatives.

To view a trailer of the film, visit http://callandresponse.com/trailer.html.

lakerlife@lanthorn.com

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