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Humans for 'sale' in window shop display

PETALING JAYA: Placing a price tag on human beings is inconceivable to the common person. However, the average person is exposed to this activity, albeit surreptitiously, daily. Anti-human trafficking campaign -- I Am Not For Sale, is trying to shed light on the issue as women, children and men continue to be trafficked around the world as cheap labour or sex workers. Organised by Change Your World in collaboration with Offline Blogshop, the campaign confronted shoppers strolling around Asian Avenue in Sunway Pyramid with the provoking display of men, women and children for sale at the outlet's window display with attached price tags. Volunteers were dressed up in costumes and made to look like abused victims, prostitutes, child labourers and even fishermen. They took turns to stand inside the window display every half hour during the weekend. Shoppers were given flyers with real life stories of victims of human trafficking to further enlighten the public on the distress and violence meted out to the victims. They were also given the opportunity to directly help the victims to regain their livelihood by contributing their old branded t-shirts to be turned into hand-made bags by the rescued victims. Trafficking in Persons Report 2012 by the US Department of State reported that "Malaysia is placed on Tier 2 Watch List for a third consecutive year", lamenting that efforts to combat people trafficking were not enough. Sunway Pyramid Offline Blogshop branch owner Sharon Lim said, "I hope the display would stimulate the public to delve deeper into issues surrounding human trafficking." Berjaya Times Square Offline Blogshop branch owner Bee Sean said: "I believe that freedom for all mankind is possible when willing hearts come together to make a difference." The campaign will continue next Saturday and Sunday at Offline Blogshop, Berjaya Times Square.