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the farmers who probably pick these beans are paid minimally, they are a mere step above slaves. Chocolate companies such as Nestle and Hershey are wealthy enough to pay fair wages. Unfortunately, they don't. Many of the people working on cocoa plantations are children, whose families have sold them or have been tricked into believing they will make high wages. These children are often malnourished, exposed to pesticides, use dangerous tools such as machetes, are offered no education and are separated from their families (Chalke).

What can we do? When you buy chocolate, look for labels that clearly state that the product is fair trade certified. What is fair trade? For a product to be certified fair trade, it must rely on four principles: a) Farmers must receive wages that are reasonable in comparison to the work completed and the cost of living b) Ensure that an investment is made in the local community c) Pay plantation owners in advance to ensure that all costs will be covered d) Create long-term contracts in the region (Chalke).

In the spring of 2009, Mars followed Cadbury's lead, by promising to make all of its chocolate fair trade certified by 2020. Unfortunately, their declaration was vague at best. How will they ensure that the chocolate is fair trade? Why must they wait until 2020? Other products you may check for fair trade include coffee, bananas, cotton and more. Although fair trade products can be difficult to find (look online for sources), it is worth it to know that you are not supporting slavery. In fact, Rhys Ifans says, "If you eat chocolate that isn't traffick free, then you've got blood on your teeth" (cited by Chalke, p. 96).

Sex slaves are another common form of human trafficking that must stop. The victims are not just adult women. They are often young boys and girls. Sometimes they are forced into brothels. In other cases, they are mail order brides. In all cases, these people are oppressed and lose their sense of self-respect. Traffickers often prey upon women or families in high poverty areas, knowing that these people will either be easier to deceive or will be more desperate for money. Some families know what they are selling their children into, while others believe their children will be given an education or job. Sadly, on the occasion when sex slaves are rescued, they are often shunned by their communities and even by their own parents.

Is this a problem that is limited to third world countries? No! We don't want to believe

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