The Power of the Crowd is Saving Children from Sex Trafficking—and So Can You
I work for a crowdfunding startup, so I’ve come across many definitions that attempt to describe crowdfunding at its core. My favorite one is essentially a one-sentence parable: “Many hands make light work.”
The reason this particular definition resonates so strongly for me—and I know I’m not alone (Dan Baird, founder of Crack the Crowd uses it often)—is that it prompts the realization that anything is possible—even thorny, unsolvable challenges that seem impossible to match with solutions.
When it comes to crowdfunding for a good cause, the power of a collective offers an imposing strength we can’t muster up individually. But the power of a formidable many is radioactive—turning dark into light, making possible what seemed futile, and altering the world as we know it.
When we band together to support a worthy cause we accomplish one of our fundamental purposes: to do some good while we have the chance in this fleeting adventure we call life, and to shore up those among us up who cannot stand on their own, or lack the voice to advocate for themselves.
This is why I recently accepted the offer to work on a pro bono crowdfunding campaign for the Child Rescue Association (CRA). Though the organization is based in Salt Lake City, it has an international reach both in the services it offers and the volunteers who work on its behalf
CRA’s charter is to eradicate child sex trafficking—full stop. One of the ways CRA fights this seemingly intractable battle is through undercover rescue missions that remove victims from their violent realities, and dismantle nefarious trafficking rings permanently.
CRA is planning another rescue mission, after confirming a ring in a Latin American country. While the average age of trafficking victims is between 12 and 14, this particular ring includes children younger than that.
Despite what some cinematic thrillers might show, a rescue mission is costly and complex. To take down a sex trafficking ring for good, in-the-field operatives (highly-trained expert volunteers with CRA) must conduct surveillance, gather evidence, and work closely with local law enforcement before executing the mission itself.
To make this rescue mission happen, CRA has launched the #ChildRescue Undercover Rescue Mission & Aftercare campaign on Indiegogo, with a $30,000 target. The funds will cover volunteers’ travel and accommodation expenses, and necessary field equipment. Rescued kids will be provided housing in a safe environment, and the critical aftercare they need to grow up and lead normal lives.
Donations start at five dollars, because every little bit helps (you can donate even less). But more than a fiscal contribution, you can do your part by helping to spread the word, because this is how we, the formidable many, increase the glare of the spotlight on an incredibly worthy cause.
Tweet about the campaign here.
Like CRA’s Facebook page.
Share the video about the campaign.
Share the campaign link.
The lives of children are at stake, and the opportunity to help them is in our hands—right now. We can break the cycle of torture, rape, and violence, turning darkness into light and helping vulnerable children who cannot fight for themselves. It just takes minutes, but the results will last much longer than that—they will last a lifetime.
About Gabi Barragan
Gabi Barragan is director of marketing at Crack the Crowd, which helps crowdfunding platforms launch, and provides marketing and innovation strategies to current platforms looking to strengthen their position in the market. She believes in the potential to change the world for the better—through the power of the crowd. You can follow her @gabriela_7
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