MODERN SLAVERY

via  http://suchfuntogive.blogspot.com/2012/01/hearts-should-be-free-giveaways.html (Indirect)

1. There are more slaves today than in any other time in modern history--around 27 million.
2. Slavery is illegal everywhere, but nevertheless is extremely widespread.  Slavery exists even in developed nations, like the United States.
3. The average cost of a slave around the world is $90.
4. The slave trade today is commonly called "human trafficking."  Human trafficking includes sex trafficking and trafficking for forced labor.
5. Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, second in size only to drug dealing, with the illegal arms trade running alongside.
6. Around 80% of human trafficking victims are women and girls.
7. 50% of human trafficking victims are under 18. 
8. Worldwide, there are nearly two million children in the commercial sex trade.
9. After being forced into prostitution, the average life expectancy for a child prostitute is 7 years.
10. 1,000s of victims are trafficked into the US every year.

References:
SOURCES FOR 10 FACTS:
1. AlterNet 2. BBC Ethics Guide: Modern Slavery 3.  DoSomething.org 4. Wikipedia  5 - 8.International Justice Mission's Sex Trafficking Fact Sheet 9. Traffic 911 10. Free The Slaves.