Sweatshop simulation is an eye-opener for many
RUIMSIG – Locals participate in Monash's simulation of a sweatshop to create awareness about human trafficking.
The Student Society of Criminology and Victimology (Crimon) with Monash South Africa held their second Sweatshop Challenge to create awareness about human trafficking and slavery.
Participants were made to separate coloured rice grains and unscrew nuts and bolts in a sweatshop simulation. No one was allowed to eat or drink and permission had to be given for participants to go to the bathroom. The event lasted from 5pm to 10pm on 5 October, where participants were allowed to leave at any time.
President of Crimon, Shannalee Doran, was inspired to organise their first Sweatshop Challenge after she met international human trafficking expert, Matthew Friedman at a leadership symposium. Friedman invented the Sweatshop Challenge to create awareness of individuals who are either human trafficked or tricked into working in sweatshops.
Last year’s challenge was a success with 75 people joining the event. This year, Doran said different people came through, which essentially creates more awareness. This event was also advertised more extensively on radio and TV.
“It is time for the world to unite and fight for the freedom of people and show that there is still humanity left in the world,” said Doran.
During the evening, Doran skyped Friedman who gave a talk about human trafficking to those assembled. Friedman explained that slavery is a more accurate word for trafficking and currently 45.8 million individuals are in slavery circumstances, which is the highest number in history. However, he believes that countermeasures can be put in place to stop this number from increasing and cause it to decrease in the future.
Friedman thanked the participants of the challenge, as participation in events such as the Sweatshop Challenge is one way to create awareness and can even be used to raise money for organisations fighting human trafficking.
