www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, October 28, 2011 · 30 Abbey Park action plan against human trafficking Though it's seen as a thirdworld problem, human trafficking exists in Canada and Abbey Park High School students want to do something about it. The school has partnered with the Oakville-founded, anti-trafficking organization free-them to bring awareness to the issues of human slavery in Canada. The school and free-them hosted numerous activities during Human Trafficking Awareness Week (Oct. 17-22). Members of the school's social change council organized the awareness week, in the hopes of educating fellow students on the issues and how to get involved. On Thursday (Oct. 20) the school hosted a movie night. The event included a speech from members of free-them, including founder Shae Invidiata, followed by the film Taken, starring Liam Neeson. On Friday, the week closed with Purple Day -- a colour that symbolizes freedom and one students were encouraged to wear. The school got involved with the program when student Anu Lalith Kumar discovered the scope of the problems when a neighbour asked her to put up posters for free-them. She brought the issue to the Social Change Council and her fellow members came on board. "Bringing human trafficking to an end is at its beginning stages," said Invidiata. "It's the world's fastest-growing crime, yet it's also the world's best-kept secret. Our generation will bring awareness to this issue, but it is today's youths who will be the leaders of tomorrow and bring human trafficking to an end. That is why we at free-them are pleased to support the youths at Abbey Park High School. Their initiative and passion for social change is something to be admired." Free-them also recently held its second annual Freedom Walk to end human trafficking in Toronto. More than 500 participants raised $16,500 for freethem programming. MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER INSPIRING: Founder of [free-them] Shae Invidiata speaks to Abbey Park students on Purple Day during Human Trafficking Awareness Week at Abbey Park High School. Purple was chosen because it symbolizes freedom. Maintenance Specials on Now! Excellent Financing and Great Terms. Relax and Let our Licenced Staff Look After All the Government Paper Work, So You Don't Have To! OAKVILLE'S REBATE EXPERTS! We Service: CFM, DRU, GSW, Hunter, Gas Fireplace Repair 905-844-2949 Solving Solving Problems Problems Since`82! Since `82! Experience is the Difference! 905-845-0701 E-MAIL: scott@gasfix.ca Insta-Flame, Valor, Napoleon, Regency, Majestic, Heat-N-Glo, Heatilator, Selkrik, GTI, Dovre, Pacific Energy, Town & Country Security, HearthStone, Montigo, Lennox, Temco, Kingsman, Polaris, Heritage, Drolet, Continental, Vermount Casting, Osbourne & many other brands.