Baltimore Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson has long been an advocate to those who are oppressed and downtrodden. He and his wife, Kirsten Watson, started a charitable organization back in 2008 called One More, which helps promotes education and provides “enrichment opportunities through charitable initiatives and partnerships.”
As a means to continue the good work, the Watsons made a move to help stop the disturbingly robust slave market.
In a press release, the largest international anti-slave organization in the world, International Justice Mission (IJM), announced a brand new partnership with the Watsons and One More on Friday.
While IJM fights against all forms of slavery, the Watsons are particularly keen on helping to end the vile trade of sex trafficking.
According to the press release, there are 45 million people trapped in modern day slavery, and an estimated 2 million children are sold into the commercial sex trade each year.
“We are honored to join with such a dedicated group of men and women to end sex trafficking around the world,” said Benjamin and Kirsten Watson. “It is our hope that we can help raise awareness for this issue as we all play a part in ending this atrocity and bringing the perpetrators to justice. We can not be silent.”
The IJM’s Pro Athlete Program works with other prominent families to help eradicate the sex-slave trade. Thanks to their infrastructure, the Watsons are well equipped to make a big difference.
“The ‘One More Rescue Fund’ is making rescue and restoration possible in places of great need,” said Jaclynn Willert, who leads IJM’s Pro Athlete Program. “We are overjoyed to partner with Benjamin and Kirsten to seek justice on behalf of the oppressed. They are joining a growing movement of pro athlete families at IJM committed to this fight to end slavery once and for all.”
In America, large sporting events such as the Super Bowl or the College Football Playoff serve as platforms for the sex-slave trade to prosper. In fact, the city of Minneapolis is already working fervently to ensure its law enforcement is well equipped to combat this plague ahead of Super Bowl LII (more on that here).
Exposure plays a large part in helping to stop slavery around the world. This exposure continues to expand, at least a little bit, thanks to the Watsons and others who are pouring themselves into this fight.