Who We Are
Eight-year-old Razu works in a Rickshaw factory ten hours a day. Photo Courtesy of Zoriah.net; taken by G.M.B. Akash.
Global Centurion Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to playing a vital role in eradicating human trafficking by focusing on the demand side of the equation – the perpetrators,exploiters, buyers, and end-users of human beings who fuel the market for commercial sex and forced labor. In this way we seek to prevent modern slavery at its source.
History
More children, women and men are victims of modern slavery today than at any other point in history. Across the world, human traffickers recruit victims using coercion, deceit or force, selling human lives into sexual bondage and slavery, generating more than 30 billion dollars of profit each year. These victims are usually women and children who are exploited through prostitution, slave labor, or who have their organs removed for sale on the black market.
Human trafficking and modern-day slavery operates under a well-established business model: supply (the victims), distribution (the traffickers), and demand (the “customers”). While there are many organizations that focus on supply (public awareness), distribution and victim services, the key to stopping modern slavery is to address those who are fueling the market for both labor and sex trafficking.
Founded in 20010, by Laura J. Lederer, J.D., Global Centurion Foundation is unique in focusing on the demand side of the problem at international, national and local levels.
Three-Pronged Approach to Combat Demand
Just as in any other market, basic economic principles are at work. Supply is a result of demand: when demand goes up, supply grows to meet the demand. Conversely, if demand goes down, so too will the supply. The only effective method for eradicating human trafficking is to target demand. As long as people can buy and exploit men, women and children, there will continue to be a market for them.
For this reason, Global Centurion Foundation developed a three-pronged, preventative approach to combat demand through:
- Developing demand-focused research and programs;
- Providing cutting-edge education, awareness and advocacy training to communities, civic leaders, NGOs, law enforcement and at-risk populations; and,
- Establishing partnership and collaborative networks to respond to modern slavery.