Young People Make a Stand Against Exploitation and Injustice

A group of young people from Dacorum, Luton, Aylesbury and Bushey have decided to make a stand against human trafficking - a modern version of the slave trade that is estimated to have ensnared 27 million people world wide.

They decided to support a charity called the Attacking Trafficking Foundation, which aims to combat this evil. To raise awareness and collect money, a group of a dozen or so assembled early on Thursday morning (25/07/13) at Tring Station. They invited local Liberal Democrat county councillor and Deputy Mayor of Tring, Nick Hollinghurst to meet them and give a formal start to their sponsored canalside walk to Hemel Hempstead and back and explained to him the problem they were trying to help to solve.

Lured by promises of a better life elsewhere young people in poor countries can all too easily fall into the hands of criminal gangs. Young females are especially targetted and find themselves bought and sold into a life of misery, abuse, sexual exploitation and slavery. Many end up in the richer developed countries forced into unpaid domestic service or prostitution.

The young people Nick met are enrolled into the National Citizens Service, a Cabinet Office backed scheme aimed at encouraging 16 and 17-year olds to get involved in socially useful schemes and events using their own initiatives. They are supported locally by Future Creative CIC who provide guidance, skills training, opportunities to plan and implement projects together - plus a lively mix of social activities into the bargain.

Later in the afternoon, Nick caught them by mobile phone on their way back, speaking to Andrew Dentu from Luton who had contacted him originally. Andrew said, "We've had a good day out together, met lots of people, raised cash for the charity - and raised the profile of the work they do." The Tring end of the event was organised by Harvey Selby who lives in Tring. Harvey explained that they are hoping to organise a total of 27 events over the coming weeks in locations centred of Hemel Hempstead.

Cllr Nick Hollinghurst sad, "It was really inspiring to meet a group like this coming together from a numbers of different towns and backgrounds. When you meet keen and lively young people like these, it really gives you hope and confidence for the future of Britain".