Yeah, it's a tough one isn't it? If prostitution was legalized I don't think it would make much of a change as many of the girls are not of age… when researching into this issue I learned that often girls' virginity is for sale. Often the girls are sewn up to be sold again as virgins. Part of the draw is that the client thinks he is getting a girl that is free from aids, which makes the girls that are sold quite young. As Justin pointed out, the 27 million slaves is not inclusive of prostitutes being paid a low wage, sweatshops or low wages. It's about people that cannot leave even if they want because they are under the threat of violence or other abuse.

I really appreciate that you took the time to dive into this hard issue, because we both learn from discussing the issue and are more likely to tell others and bring awareness since the mainstream media isn't.

Yeah, it's a tough one isn't it? If prostitution was legalized I don't think it would make much of a change as many of the girls are not of age… when researching into this issue I learned that often girls' virginity is for sale. Often the girls are sewn up to be sold again as virgins. Part of the draw is that the client thinks he is getting a girl that is free from aids, which makes the girls that are sold quite young. As Justin pointed out, the 27 million slaves is not inclusive of prostitutes being paid a low wage, sweatshops or low wages. It's about people that cannot leave even if they want because they are under the threat of violence or other abuse.

I really appreciate that you took the time to dive into this hard issue, because we both learn from discussing the issue and are more likely to tell others and bring awareness since the mainstream media isn't.

Looking on your website I saw that you are based in Washington DC. Do you guys work with IJM?

And kudos for really diving into the work http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_bales_how_to_com… you truly are standing strong. It seems sometimes you are in London? If so please get in touch next time you are here, it would be useful to build connections as I'm working with the small IJM team here (helping them build a strategy to spread the news online) and am connected with Steve Chalke. I will do my best to help spread any of your news when it happens.

Stay in touch, thank you for connecting.

Looking on your website I saw that you are based in Washington DC. Do you guys work with IJM?

And kudos for really diving into the work http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_bales_how_to_com… you truly are standing strong. It seems sometimes you are in London? If so please get in touch next time you are here, it would be useful to build connections as I'm working with the small IJM team here (helping them build a strategy to spread the news online) and am connected with Steve Chalke. I will do my best to help spread any of your news when it happens.

Stay in touch, thank you for connecting.

I understand how coming to grips with the size of modern slavery can leave people feeling overwhelmed. But there's an interesting paradox about the 27 million slaves in the world–yes it is a huge number, the largest ever in human history, but it is also the smallest fraction of the human population to ever be in slavery. Likewise, the amount of money slaves pump into the world economy is big, but it is also the smallest fraction of the global economy to ever be represented by slave labor.

The truth is that slavery has been pushed to the edge of its own extinction and working together we can tip it over the brink. There's a law against slavery in every country, and more and more people are united in wanting to end it. I hope you'll visit and share our website (http://www.freetheslaves.net) and have a look at our book on how we can bring slavery to an end in 25 years, it is called: “Ending Slavery: How We Free Today's Slaves.”

All best wishes,
Kevin Bales
kevin.bales@freetheslaves.net