If you’ve ever wondered how girls can fall victim to sex trafficking, a newly released government report from Britain provides a harrowing glimpse into a world in which men who are supposedly "boy friends" of young teens are, instead, coercing the girls into forced sex, all for the purpose of generating quick cash.

According to a report in the Guardian newspaper , as many as 33 girls between the ages of 12 and 15 were involved in a case uncovered in Sheffield last year. Only one, a 15-year-old, was willing to give evidence in court, but following that a 23-year-old man was jailed for 10 years for serious sexual offenses which included rape of a child. Five other men faced deportation procedures.

What’s the scope of the problem? British police estimate that as many as 18,000 trafficking victims — many from China, southeast Asia and eastern Europe — are brought into Britain and then forced to work as prostitutes.

Mr. Westmoreland interviews guests Malcolm and Beverly McCoy from Lima Ohio. In light of the Independence Day celebrations Mr. Westmoreland and the McCoy’s discuss independence as it relates to the civil rights movement.

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Listen to the inspiring voice of host Carl Westmoreland, “Carl”, Doctor of the Underground Railroad, on the Freedom Station Radio Show every Tuesday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm Eastern Standard Time.

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Mr. Westmoreland interviews Mrs. Audry Johnson-Thornton, President, Belmont Mansion Underground Railroad Museum in Philadelphia, PA.

During the second hour Mr. Westmoreland interviews Bryan and Shannon Prince of Buxton National Historic Site & Museum.

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Human trafficking in the United States is receiving more national attention from federal prosecutors, local law enforcement agencies, social service workers and the general public. As many as 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States each year, according to government data. Yet skeptics continue to challenge the extent of trafficking, arguing that the actual number of reported incidents reflects a relatively minor problem. Judges and law enforcement officials, especially at the local level, are often among the doubters. Many still perceive human trafficking as an international issue that is rare or nonexistent in their communities.

Which raises an interesting question: if more police officers and judges were trained in understanding the many ways in which human trafficking plays out, what would the result be? Would cities and towns finally begin to realize that trafficking in human beings is a real – and growing – menace everywhere?

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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights defines the foundation of freedom as being “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family.”

Freedom has many manifestations: Freedom of speech…freedom from fear…freedom of movement and residence…freedom of thought, conscience, and religion…freedom of opinion and expression…freedom for peaceful assembly and association…freedoms to which everyone is entitled, without distinction of any kind.”

Yet around the globe, many people are denied essential freedoms and basic human rights. To raise awareness of the importance of freedom, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, in cooperation with Apple Inc., is asking college students across the United States to participate in a national video essay competition on the subject of “Freedom Is . . .”

Here’s how the contest works:

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Mr. Westmoreland interviews Dina Bailey, Curatorial Fellow at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.  Ms. Bailey grew up in the greater Cincinnati area and talks about working with children who come to the Center.

Mr. Westmoreland’s second guest was Jack Marx, a Docent at the Freedom Center since it opened.  Mr. Marx discusses his experiences as a docent.

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The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center announced today that it has received a major grant from the New York City-based Skirball Foundation. The gift of $1,500,000 will support Freedom Center programs and exhibits and also support the Partnership for Human Freedom, an initiative to raise public awareness of slavery in the world today.

The museum’s third-floor changing exhibit space, totaling 3,000 square feet, will be permanently designated the “Jack H. Skirball Gallery,” in honor of Jack H. Skirball (1896-1985), an ordained rabbi turned award-winning Hollywood movie producer and distinguished philanthropist. A graduate of Cincinnati’s Hebrew Union College in 1921, Jack and his brother William established the Skirball Foundation in 1948. It has grown into a major philanthropic institution supporting education, culture, the arts, and other causes.

“This is a momentous day for the Freedom Center,” said Donald W. Murphy, CEO and President. “The Skirball Foundation’s extraordinary gift will enable the Freedom Center to create dynamic, relevant programming and new exhibits, many of which will be presented in the Jack H. Skirball Gallery.”

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The Cincinnati Enquirer often reports on issues related to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Its latest article, published online on Friday and scheduled for the Sunday paper on June 15, is perhaps the most comprehensive assessment since the Freedom Center opened in 2004.

Judge for yourself , and let us know what you think about the article and the Freedom Center.

The Wall Street Journal editorial page is one of the few mainstream news media publications to comment on the recent State Department 2008 Trafficking In Humans Report. We were especially drawn to the Journal’s summary statement of contemporary slavery:

"(M)odern-day slavery remains a scourge. The more light that can be shed on it the better chance of wiping it out."

Our sentiments exactly.

Read the entire Journal editoria l and post a comment about what you think.

Mr. Westmoreland uses this two hour program to reflect about history from three perspectives with three guests:

• Karen Campbell, historian and Mary L. Cook Public Library Librarian
• E. Selean Holmes, Curator of Freedom’s Sisters Exhibition, currently showing at the Museum Center in Union Terminal
• Rev. Kai Cole, Pastor Phillips Memorial CME Church

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The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is counting down to Family FreedomFest, a day-long festival featuring free live music, indoor and outdoor family activities and ice cream on Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Guests who visit the Freedom Center during Family FreedomFest will be able to register for a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. The prize will be awarded at the end of the day. See official rules for complete details.

“The Freedom Center is a perfect location to host Family FreedomFest, a family event planned to celebrate the importance of freedom - in the past - and today - and in the future,” said Donald Murphy, CEO of the Freedom Center.

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The U.S. State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report was released this week, but if you blinked, you probably missed hearing about it.

That’s a shame because the report — despite its flaws and allegations of political influence impacting its data — does give the general public an overall look at the nature and extent of human trafficking around the world. Neither the New York Times nor the Washington Post, for example, have yet run stories on the report, and broadcast news has been largely silent.

The 2008 report, released by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, concludes that while progress in combating human slavery is being made, the lack of enforcement of anti-trafficking laws in many nations is enabling perpetrators to escape punishment. The focus on prosecutions, Rice said, was a new emphasis of this year’s report.

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