Just the Facts, Please

Just as the North Star guided escaping slaves to freedom in pre-Civil War America, so the Polaris Project desires to be a beacon of hope, leading modern-day slaves out of bondage. This group, started in 2002, is now one of the largest anti-trafficking groups in both the U.S. and Japan. I just learned about Polaris Project yesterday--they are among those urging the current administration to compile a list of products made using the labor of modern-day slaves.
Here are some facts about human trafficking from Polaris Project's website:

-Human trafficking comprises the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, based on the recruitment, harboring, and transportation of people solely for the purpose of exploitation.
-Every year traffickers generate billions of dollars in profits at the expense of victimizing millions of people around the world.
-Labor trafficking is widespread in variety of situations that encompass domestic servitude and small-scale labor operations, to large-scale operations such as farms, sweatshops, and major multinational corporations.
-Sex trafficking is one of the most lucrative sectors regarding the illegal trade in people, and involves any form of sexual exploitation in prostitution, pornography, bride trafficking, and the commercial sexual abuse of children. Under international law, any sexually exploited child is considered a trafficking victim, even if no force or coercion is present.
-An estimated 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked annually in the United States alone.
-The number of US citizens trafficked within the country is even higher. An estimated 200,000 American children are at high risk for trafficking into the sex industry each year.

Here at World Next Door, we are passionate about stopping human trafficking. We believe, from the bottom of our heart, that fair trade is a powerful tool in the fight against modern-day slavery. Human trafficking is a lucrative industry. If we hope to rescue its victims, they must have other avenues of employment to pursue in order to support themselves and their families. That is where fair trade comes in. By offering a fair wage, up-front payment for goods, and training in both skilled labor and business, fair trade gives people the tools they need to provide for themselves in a positive way. We, the consumers, get beautiful and unique products which we can feel good about supporting.
What could be a fairer trade than that?