It's one of the oldest crimes in the world, but it's also the fastest growing. The International Justice Mission estimates there are 27 million slaves in the world today, "That's more slaves than all 400 years of the transatlantic slave trade combined," says Christa Hayden with the human rights organization. The most startling statistic is that of the 27 million slaves bought and sold in the world, over two million are children.
Thursday night, hundreds packed Richmond's Byrd Theatre to watch the documentary "Call + Response," a film about modern day slavery. Afterward, some guests heard stories from two survivors who's lives were forever changed by human trafficking.
CBS 6 spoke with one survivor, who we'll call "Samantha." At 14, Samantha was enticed to run away from home by an older man she'd met at a mall in New Jersey. He promised her trips to Vegas, meetings with movie stars, and cross country trips in a new convertible. However, the man took her to Atlantic City and sold her into slavery instead. "They bought me a new dress and dyed my hair and when we were leaving, they took me to the streets of Atlantic City where I was prostituted," says Samantha.
Sara Pomeroy with the Richmond Justice Initiative, now dedicates her time to rescuing and seeking justice for victims of human trafficking in Virginia. She says, "Just because the 17th Street Farmer's Market is filled with fruits and vegetables instead of slaves, doesn't mean slavery doesn't exist in our town, because it does."
Pomeroy says Virginia is one of four states that does not have a comprehensive law in place against human trafficking. She hopes to spread awareness in Virginia by working with several outreach organizations, including churches.
"Samantha" says she spent years blaming herself, but is now telling her story in hopes of creating awareness. She also wants victims to know they're not the criminals. "After it was done to me, I felt like I deserved it. I had made the decision to run away and I made the mistake of trusting a stranger." Samantha says Richmonders may not realize the same thing that happened to her could be happening to the girl living next door.
Thursday night, hundreds packed Richmond's Byrd Theatre to watch the documentary "Call + Response," a film about modern day slavery. Afterward, some guests heard stories from two survivors who's lives were forever changed by human trafficking.
CBS 6 spoke with one survivor, who we'll call "Samantha." At 14, Samantha was enticed to run away from home by an older man she'd met at a mall in New Jersey. He promised her trips to Vegas, meetings with movie stars, and cross country trips in a new convertible. However, the man took her to Atlantic City and sold her into slavery instead. "They bought me a new dress and dyed my hair and when we were leaving, they took me to the streets of Atlantic City where I was prostituted," says Samantha.
Sara Pomeroy with the Richmond Justice Initiative, now dedicates her time to rescuing and seeking justice for victims of human trafficking in Virginia. She says, "Just because the 17th Street Farmer's Market is filled with fruits and vegetables instead of slaves, doesn't mean slavery doesn't exist in our town, because it does."
Pomeroy says Virginia is one of four states that does not have a comprehensive law in place against human trafficking. She hopes to spread awareness in Virginia by working with several outreach organizations, including churches.
"Samantha" says she spent years blaming herself, but is now telling her story in hopes of creating awareness. She also wants victims to know they're not the criminals. "After it was done to me, I felt like I deserved it. I had made the decision to run away and I made the mistake of trusting a stranger." Samantha says Richmonders may not realize the same thing that happened to her could be happening to the girl living next door.
