1.2 million children are trafficked every year. Victims are coerced, manipulated and/or kidnapped. Others are forced into it by close associates, relatives, friends, boyfriends, pimps, madams, traffickers, or tragically sometimes even their own parents. While there can be complex cultural and economic motivations at play, the sex trade is predicated on one undeniable reality: Every “26 Seconds” every day around the world, countless girls and boys are bought, sold, and raped by grown men.
Forced labor is a $150 Billion per year industry. The economic benefits of selling sex are irrefutable. Unlike drugs or weapons, a child or woman can be sold over & over again. Often five to ten times per day. This is modern day slavery; Traffickers are the only ones who profit. How long will the screams of victims go unheard? How long will the world stand by as children and womens’ lives are shattered and scarred by sexual and emotional abuse?
“26 Seconds” is a dramatic feature-length documentary about the horrors of sex trafficking across the world. One child every “26 Seconds” is trafficked globally, the majority ending up in the sex trade. It features the heartbreaking stories of children and women from vastly different cultures experiencing horrifically similar traumas. It highlights the active efforts of survivors, other individuals and non-profit organizations to rescue more victims, raise awareness to those in power to affect change, and ultimately put a stop to this horrific, worldwide industry.
The film follows children and women from each of the film’s target countries: Thailand, Cambodia, India, Iraq, Mexico, East Africa and in the United States. The story is told through the survivors’ point of view, with support and additional perspective from expert testimony.
“26 Seconds” is a poignant and unapologetic documentary in its exposure of a grave global dilemma of human trafficking. It will deliver a compelling emotional journey in the hopes of raising worldwide awareness of this urgent issue, and will challenge each of us to stand up for innocent children and women all around the world.
ABOUT KELLY GALINDO
Kelly Galindo is an American actress, director, and producer. Her work has spanned decades in television, theater and film. She is currently directing, “26 Seconds” a documentary feature film that is based on a horrific cause that has driven her passion in giving a voice to children who are victims of the sex trade.
For the past 3 years, this film has taken her around the world to experience and expose these horrors happening in the world today. In her film she highlights the organizations that have actively stepped forward to do something about it. In addition, Kelly balances her directing and acting career while passing her craft onto future generations of students as a Professor at Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University. She has taught at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television, as well as the Orange County School of the Arts. Kelly continues to be a proud Lifetime member of the Actors Studio as a Director and Actor.
