Speaking to the U.N. on Tuesday, U.S. President surprised many when he turned from Iraq and terrorism to the trafficking in humans. He called it a “humanitarian crisis.”

Modern day slavery is a dark and booming business. Over the past decade, trafficking in human beings has reached epidemic proportions. It is estimated that 27 million people are currently in slavery. They are either prisoners of the global sex trade or forced into labor and bonded servitude.

Click the “Listen” link to hear about the issue of human trafficking, what it is, who’s involved, and why U.S. President Bush raised it in his speech to the U.N. yesterday.

Guests:

Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Jolene Smith, co-founder and deputy director, Free The Slaves

Linda Smith, Founder and President, Shared Hope International, Congressional Representative for Washington’s 3rd District, 1994 – 1998

Jack Beatty, On Point news Analyst