Write Myrsini and Asclepius, LUDCI.eu Editorial Team
Child trafficking occurs everywhere, according to UNICEF. A report developed by the UN’s children organisation in collaboration with the Innocenti Research Center (IRC) showed that Child trafficking occurs in every second European country.
For this reason, it is time to enforce real Action. Art is a way to do so.
As Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of UNODC, once said, “Art is one of the most powerful advocacy tools to raise awareness and move people to take action. A painting says a thousand words.”
In Milwaukee, a group of middle and high school students are using art displays to create awareness about the growing incidents of child sex trafficking in their neighborhood.
Speaking to Fox News, Jody Rhodes, director of the community development organisation, said, “The sex trafficking issue in Milwaukee surface, especially in the neighborhood we are at near 20th in the North.”
The campaign targets to educate youths in the community how to identify signs of trafficking. Most trafficked victims are recruited at 12 to 13 years old. Paintings were displayed at the rotunda at City Hall, which has increased awareness of the issue and led to public discussions of the problem.
Indeed, Art transcends boundaries. With art, words are not needed to convey meanings. Yet, when people are exposed to works of art, they are drawn into the world in front of them. They feel, as though, they are part of the experience. Art strikes a chord, which all of us can relate to – at the core of our humanity.
Therein lies art’s power to motivate people to action – the ability to evoke emotions and move people to empathise with others. Art breaks down the limits imposed by languages. As Olafur Eliasson, a recipient of the 2016 Crystal Awards puts it, “Art helps us identify with one another and expands our notion of we – from the local to the global”.
When art is paired with compelling narratives, a powerful force is created. The momentum not only raises people’s awareness of Child trafficking. But it can also generate a sense of urgency that something must be done. And done fast.
Art can help victims heal from their wounds. Survivors of child trafficking often struggle with traumatic experiences from physical, mental, and sexual abuse. If ignored, especially after leaving the brutal situation, it can become challenging to adjust to normal living. And, in some cases, endanger them to re-victimisation.
Efforts to fight Child trafficking often involve rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of victims. When survivors are rescued, they undergo a rehabilitation program that seeks to help them heal from the traumatic experience. They may even learn new skills that make them productive members of society—thereby cutting the odds of them falling prey again. However, the emotional and psychological impact of their ordeal can be persistent and present a challenge to fully adjusting to their new life.
Here’s where art therapy can help. Art therapy is the application of artforms in a therapeutic way. It can take different forms such as dancing, painting, music, sculpture, drawing, and pottery.
Art therapy seeks to create a safe channel for survivors of Child trafficking to express their inner emotions and experiences – assist in the rehabilitation and healing process, and support personal change and growth – writes Goachen Xiong, a first-generation born Hmong American, for dressember.org.
New research from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that “engaging with the arts can be beneficial for both mental and physical health” – a conclusion reached after a comprehensive review of over 900 global publications and 3,000 studies.
As reported by Euronews “listening to music can help control blood sugar level. Playing an instrument improves the immune system and helps in stress management, while dancing provides benefits throughout the body and mind. Meanwhile, painting and sculpture can help tackle depression.”
According to The Guardian, anti-child trafficking organisation like Save the Children and Human Rights Watch Group have all used art therapy in the past to help survivors relieve trauma.
Conclusion:
Art is a force for change, no doubt. This time, we believe artists have essential roles to play in the fight against child trafficking. Their work gives them a powerful tool to raise awareness of the scourge and influence action against child trafficking
