General News
7 November, 2024
Walk raises slavery awareness
A walk down Horsham streets has helped highlight the issue of slavery in Australia.
The Horsham walk, organised by Lucy McKinnon, is the third annual anti-slavery walk held in the city and this year was the sole A21 Walk For Freedom in Victoria.
Ms McKinnon has now participated in six A21 walks with others in London, Bendigo and Adelaide.
Estimates are that 41,000 people in Australia are currently caught in the modern slavery web of human trafficking and exploitation.
A21 is a global non-profit organisation active in 20 countries and dedicated to eradicating human trafficking through awareness, intervention and aftercare and with effort through partnerships and supporters believes slavery can be prevented, victims identified and assisted and perpetrators brought to justice.
Ms McKinnon said one person believed so adamantly in the cause that she travelled by public transport from Melbourne to Horsham to participate.
"With over 49.6 million people trapped in human trafficking worldwide," Ms McKinnon said, "this urgent crisis affects men, women and children across every continent and is often hidden in plain sight."
The Horsham walk was one of 500 across the world and walkers joined about 350,000 people worldwide.
"Each step taken amplifies the fight for freedom, marking millions of strides towards ending human trafficking," Ms McKinnon said.
The walk began and ended at May Park, with participants walking in single file line carrying posters and distributing flyers with information outlining the hallmarks of human trafficking.
Owners of May Park cafe Una Sosta provided free drinks for all participants.