The Archdiocese of New Orleans is going silent Monday in an effort to stop human trafficking.“Worldwide, 21 million men women and children are trafficked, and of that number the State Department says that 83 percent are Americans. Fifty percent of the Americans trafficked are youth,” Debbi Shinskie of the Archdiocese of New Orleans said.Shinskie said social media devices like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram make human trafficking more prevalent. Offenders usually look for teens who seem to be having problems at home.“Those who do the trafficking look for someone who is presenting themselves on social media as isolated: 'I think my parents hate me,' 'My family doesn't understand me,' 'My friends just don't get me,'” Shinskie said.To combat the problem, the archdiocese is holding a "Day of Fasting" from social media on Monday, and they're asking for the public's help.“Instead of turning on your computer or turning on your phone and checking Facebook, posting a picture on Instragram or tweeting the latest thing you thought of we're asking that everyone forgo that,” Shinskie said.The day of fasting coincides with two big events: the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. Organizers said Interstate 10 also makes New Orleans a popular spot for human trafficking.“This in an area that traffickers will move their human cargo through this area. This is also a destination because New Orleans has commercial front brothels and we also have large national events here,” Shinskie said.The archdiocese said that prayer also plays a big part in the 24-hour fast. Participants are called to pray for the victims of human trafficking and pray for an end to the exploitation of men, women and children.If you or someone you know is involved with human trafficking and need help, here's a link to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans is going silent Monday in an effort to stop human trafficking.

“Worldwide, 21 million men women and children are trafficked, and of that number the State Department says that 83 percent are Americans. Fifty percent of the Americans trafficked are youth,” Debbi Shinskie of the Archdiocese of New Orleans said.




Shinskie said social media devices like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram make human trafficking more prevalent. Offenders usually look for teens who seem to be having problems at home.

“Those who do the trafficking look for someone who is presenting themselves on social media as isolated: 'I think my parents hate me,' 'My family doesn't understand me,' 'My friends just don't get me,'” Shinskie said.

To combat the problem, the archdiocese is holding a "Day of Fasting" from social media on Monday, and they're asking for the public's help.

“Instead of turning on your computer or turning on your phone and checking Facebook, posting a picture on Instragram or tweeting the latest thing you thought of we're asking that everyone forgo that,” Shinskie said.

The day of fasting coincides with two big events: the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. Organizers said Interstate 10 also makes New Orleans a popular spot for human trafficking.

“This in an area that traffickers will move their human cargo through this area. This is also a destination because New Orleans has commercial front brothels and we also have large national events here,” Shinskie said.

The archdiocese said that prayer also plays a big part in the 24-hour fast. Participants are called to pray for the victims of human trafficking and pray for an end to the exploitation of men, women and children.

If you or someone you know is involved with human trafficking and need help, here's a link to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.