The University of Central Florida will participate Nov. 28-Dec. 1 in an effort to help end human trafficking and forced labor, an issue that affects an estimated 21 million people globally.
The National Consortium for Academics and Sports has partnered with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s End Trafficking project to create Shut Out Trafficking, a program to raise awareness against human trafficking on 10 university and college campuses across the United States each year. Shut Out Trafficking educates college students on the brutal human trafficking industry that generates an estimated $150 billion annually.
Using sports as a platform to help inform campuses about the issue, the campaign engages student-athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators to educate the larger student body on the issue. In addition to student-athletes and coaches, participants from UCF will hear from survivors of human trafficking, participate in discussion groups, attend film screenings and more in an effort to empower students to take action.
There are an estimated 5.5 million child victims of trafficking and forced labor globally. These children have been bought and sold, forced into prostitution, or made to work at grueling, dangerous jobs with little or no pay. Thousands of trafficking victims are here in the United States, Florida and Orlando. Human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states, and thousands more are exploited through labor trafficking in agriculture, carnivals and domestic servitude.
Last year, Shut Out Trafficking reached nearly 57,000 students on eight college campuses throughout the United States, helping to highlight this issue to many more. This fall, Shut Out Trafficking also will be held at Rice University and Florida International University. Schools on the spring schedule include UCLA, Alabama, Florida State, St. John’s and the University of Nevada.
UCF will host Shut Out Trafficking through the following events that are free and open to the public:
Nov. 28 – Opening Night Keynote Program Classroom Building II, Room 207, 6-8 p.m. Presenters: Richard Lapchick and Emily Pasnak-Lapchick, introduced by UCF Athletics Director, Danny White.
Nov. 28-Dec. 1 – Donation Drive benefiting local Anti-Trafficking Shelter Help provide much-needed items to a local anti-trafficking shelter by making a donation during the week. A list of preferred items can be found on the DeVos Sport Business Management Program Facebook page. Bring your donation to any event or drop it off at the UCF DeVos Sport Business Management Program Office in Business Administration Building II, Room 205
Nov. 29 – Human Trafficking Exhibit, Student Union Patio, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Not My Life Film and Panel Discussion, Classroom Building II, Room 207, 6-8:30 p.m.
Nov. 30 – Tabling at UCF Men’s Basketball, CFE Arena, 7-9 p.m.
Dec. 1 – Donation Collection and Tabling Activities, Student Union Patio, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dec. 1 — Becoming a Conscious Consumer to End Trafficking, Classroom 2, Room 207, 6 to 7:30 p.m. This event is in partnership with UCF Sustainability Initiatives, and students will have the chance to win retail gift cards.
For 30 years the mission of the National Consortium for Academics & Sports has been to use the power of sport to effect positive social change. The NCAS educates and empowers individuals and organizations by inspiring values-based thinking, leading to actions that promote social responsibility and equality. Through Richard Lapchick’s leadership, the NCAS has improved college student-athlete graduation rates, advocated for diversity and inclusion in all athletic organizations, and created programs to affect social change in sports and society including combating domestic violence.
The End Trafficking project is the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s initiative to raise awareness about child trafficking and mobilize communities to take meaningful action to help protect children. In partnership with concerned individuals and groups, the End Trafficking project aims to bring us all closer to a day when there are no exploited children.
For more information about the Shut Out Trafficking campaign, visit www.ncasports.org/services/human-trafficking/, or contact the National Consortium for Academics & Sports at 407-823-4770. The consortium’s website is www.ncasports.org.