Slavery exists in the land of the free. Human trafficking involves the exchange of human beings for sex, labor or any other trade by force. This is called modern-day slavery. Many people in the United States believe that slavery was abolished a long time ago, but the truth is that slavery exists more than ever before. People are being trafficked all around us. Victims of human trafficking vary in age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Typically, victims share one thing in common: they find themselves isolated from their home country or family in the hope of a better life. In the United States, nearly 100,000 children are currently exploited in the sex trade. More than 27 million people worldwide are trapped in human trafficking. Many people overlook the fact that millions of people currently live in slavery in the sex industry. The fact remains that a battle is underway on a global scale. It will never be possible to end all forms of human slavery, but it is important to be aware of the problem and find ways to prevent the numbers from increasing, or even reduce them. People are not property and no human being should own another human being. Battles are being fought all over the world for oppressed people, why isn't there a bigger battle for the millions of people being bought and sold right now? This is an injustice. Although this global crime is a huge problem that seems far too big to solve first. There is a way to become aware, to speak out and to stop being on the sidelines. Although many people consider slavery a thing of the past, it never ended. Although many citizens of the United States view slavery as something in a faraway land and dismiss the notion, the medium of paper is likely to report crimes when seen. Although many people are unsure of exactly what they are seeing, it is important to report any suspicious activity immediately. There are other ways to stop human trafficking than being aware of the warning signs. It's important to know who to contact, whether it's the Department of Homeland Security or ICE, the numbers can be found online. Another way to fight slavery today is to speak up and explain to people what human trafficking is and the indicators of slavery. Posting newsletters in the workplace, on social media, and on campus is also a way to raise awareness and combat this global issue. Many victims also need help. Getting involved in awareness programs and donating time and money can help anti-slavery organizations receive the assistance they need to successfully combat trafficking..