Andre Yoskowitz
17 Dec 2011 16:27
Google has announced this week it is donating $11.5 million to associations that are fighting human trafficking and slavery around the world.
The search giant says the money will go towards "the creation of a coalition between various advocacy groups, led by International Justice Mission (IJM)." The IJM rescues people from forced labor and trafficking and the group says starting in 2012 they will join with other groups like the Polaris Project and Slavery Footprint for the new project.
IJM says the new funds will be used to push for new laws in countries, promote awareness in the U.S., and "improve the infrastructure and resources that enforce anti-slavery legislation overseas."
Google's director of charitable giving and advocacy says there are 27 million men, women, and children currently held as slaves around the world, and adds, "many people are surprised to learn that there are more people trapped in slavery today than any time in history. The good news is there are solutions."
Most of the money will go to campaigns in India, where forced labor is rampant.