CAN YOU SEE ME?

WEST END STARS HOLD FLASH MOB IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE TO PROTEST AGAINST CHILD TRAFFICKING

On April 11, top stars from the stages of London’s West End held a spectacular Flashmob which campaigns to end child sex slavery and exploitation.

The singers and dancers performed a routine to a specially arranged Annie Lennox track to highlight the shocking fact that child trafficking is a major problem here in Britain.
Rachel Tucker, star of West End hit Wicked, was joined by past and present divas of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Charlotte Riby, Portia Emare and Gemma Atkins. They were backed by over a hundred dancers from an array of West End musicals including We Will Rock You, Dirty Dancing, MAMMA MIA!, Grease, Wicked, LoveNever Dies, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Wizard of Oz and the English National Ballet.

The campaign is dubbed “Can You See Me” because the crisis is all too often hidden and taboo – when in fact it is going on in towns and cities throughout the country,right in front of us.

Christian Elliott, Love146 Campaign Director said: Many UKcitizens do not believe that child trafficking is a problem in their own neighbourhoodand that it’s only a problem in less developed countries. This is simply not true. In the UK there are boys and girls from as young as 11 being trafficked into Britain from all over the world.  They rapidly become victims of exploitation and are incrediblyvulnerable.  We must unite and play our part in making this abhorrent crime history.For a country that promotes human rights around the world and has some excellent services for children and young adults, it is a scandal that in 2011 the UK the UK  has little or no designated aftercare or re-integration services for trafficked children.

Love146 are commissioning an independent report to highlight the need for safe accommodation, specialized aftercare and therapeutic services for trafficked children. The charity will shortly be releasing the findings of a survey of local authorities’ responses to trafficked children in their areas.

Rachel Tucker, star of  West End hit Wicked said: All of us were shocked to hear the terrible fate of children even in our home towns and cities. This is our way of trying toraise awareness, and getting people behind Love146’s campaign to make a real difference to some of the most damaged children in the country.
Martin Houghton-Brown Chief Exec of Missing people said: The tragedy is that we neither know the true scale of the problem nor have a comprehensive plan to resource the solutions to children being trafficked into, out of and within the UK. Delivering effective, safe and secure care for children suspected of being trafficked is an essential step in providing a safety net for children who are at risk.

For more information please see: www.love146.org / www.runforlove146.org
TEXT DONATIONSFrom UK mobiles text ‘LOVE’ to 70777 to donate £10 to Love146.Texts cost £10 plus you standard network rate. At least 100%/Vodafone, 99%/O2, 88%/Three, 87%/Virgin and 87%/T-Mobile will go to the charity.