Each week the Freedom Fund curates the most insightful and timely news stories about modern slavery. Check out what we’re reading among this week’s top slavery articles.

Europe’s child-refugee crisis
The New Yorker, 22 February 2017
At an age when most kids need supervision to do their homework, hundreds of thousands of minors are crossing continents alone. More than ten thousand migrant children have gone missing in Europe since 2014. They are obvious prey for human trafficking groups who exploit them for sex and slavery.

Human trafficking: Poor women and girls targeted in Albania
BBC News, 22 February 2017
The number of people trafficked into the UK is on the rise. The latest figures for 2015 suggest that 3,266 people were potential victims of trafficking, a 40% increase on the previous year. The largest number – 600 – came from Albania. The BBC spoke to victims of trafficking in both the UK and Albania.

Canadian banks, police following money trail to target human trafficking
The Globe and Mail, 21 February 2017
Canada’s financial watchdog has sent more than 100 disclosures to police in the past year on human trafficking in a quiet new initiative that targets traffickers by following their money. Following the money trail can help back up a victim’s story and potentially reveal other people who are being exploited.

Atlanta-based End It movement shines light on modern-day slavery
NBC News, 19 February 2017
The worldwide End It movement to end human trafficking is urging the public to “Shine a Light on Slavery” on February 23. The nonprofit is asking people to draw a red X on their hand and tell their community about modern-day slavery through social media posts and other outlets. Since 2013, the red X has been shared more than 500 million times.

Australian government announces inquiry into establishing a modern slavery act
UN Global Compact Network Australia, 19 February 2017
Australia has begun an inquiry into whether it should adopt national legislation to combat modern slavery, comparable to the UK’s Modern Slavery Act. ‘The appalling practice of modern slavery is a scourge that regrettably continues to affect millions of people around the world, including in Australia,’ said Chris Crewther, Australian MP.

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Photo credit: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas