Modern Child Slavery

Child Slavery
Definition
A child slave
is under the age of eighteen. receives extremely little or no pay.

is controlled by violence or other threats.

has no option to leave the situation.

has no access to education or health care.

Child Slavery
Basic Facts
There are more slaves today than were seized from Africa during the entire 400 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
The price for a slave in 1850 in Mississippi was $40,000 (based on constant 1999 dollars). The average price of a slave today is $80. One in every six children aged 5 to 17 worldwide is exploited by child labour. There are approximately 9 million children involved in the unconditional worst forms of child labour that we call slavery.

Child Slavery
Where It Occurs
246 million children aged 5-17 are child workers throughout the world.

Child Slavery
Forms of Child Slavery
Forced Labour to extract work or service from any person using the threat of penalties. Debt Bondage debt bondage occurs when an individual is pledged into slavery as collateral on a loan or to pay a debt. Sometimes parents will pledge their children or the entire family into debt bondage.

Child Slavery
Forms of Child Slavery
Chattel Slavery Chattel slaves are legally viewed as personal property that can be sold and traded by their master.

Religious Slavery Religious slavery refers to when children are sold or given to temple gods and priests. This still occurs today in parts of Africa (such as Ghana) and India.

Child Slavery
Effect on Children
Health: child slaves are easily replaced; it is more expensive to nurse a sick child to health than to buy a new slave. Consequently, children rarely get medical or psychological attention if needed. Education: child slaves are often denied access to education. Thus, even if they escape slavery, they do not have the skills necessary for higherpaying jobs.

Child Slavery
Why Does It Exist?
Poverty: Children who live in extreme poverty are most susceptible to enslavement. Tradition: Some parents view their children as property over which they have the right to control. Control: Children are attractive slaves because they are easier than adults to manipulate and control. Physical Size: Because they are smaller than adults, child slaves are more desirable for certain tasks such as weaving rugs and picking cocoa.

Child Slavery
What Can You Do?
Educate yourself about Child Slavery. Contact local, state, and national politicians for support against Child Slavery.
Write letters asking for their opinion on Child Slavery.

Talk to your parents about Child Slavery.

Educate the adults in your life!
Source: Jon Warren via Hamline University

Advocate for Child Slavery awareness!

Begin a social awareness/ human rights club.

Child Slavery
For More Information
Anti-Slavery International www.antislavery.org UNICEF www.unicef.org

Free the Slaves www.freetheslaves.net

Global March www.globalmarch.org Child Labor Coalition www.stopchildlabor.org

Free the Children www.freethechildren.org

Youth Advocate Program International www.yapi.org