By Joy Fang

DID you know that about 1.2 million children and young people are trafficked every year and forced into the global commercial-sex trade? Or that trafficking in children exists in all countries?

To raise awareness of this issue, home-grown stars such as Anna Belle Francis, Pam Oei and Lim Kay Tong have teamed up to support The Body Shop's global Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People campaign.

Not only did they sign a Body Shop petition against child sex trafficking, but the artists also made designs, based on their own handprints, as a show of support for the campaign. They also lent their faces to a video calling on people to take a firm stand on this issue.

So, what compelled them to (literally) lend a hand?

Music and Movement artist Anna Belle Francis, a mother of two, said the problem of child sex trafficking is an issue that "has always been close to my heart".

"Children are our responsibility to love, protect and nurture to become bright young individuals," she said adamantly.

"They are our future, and by betraying them, we are betraying ourselves of a beautiful life ahead for our own children and (those) all around the world."

Francis and her husband, rapper Sheikh Haikel, hope to organise a concert with The Body Shop to bring people together and create more awareness on the issue "through music, dance and soulful vibes".

As for actress Pam Oei, she says she feels "ill to the core" whenever she reads or finds out about sexual abuse of children, something she finds appalling.

"I wish I could physically restrain sex offenders myself. With a weapon. That would be ideal. But, clearly, this is not possible," said the feisty Oei.

She added: "I am glad The Body Shop is doing something for this cause and I am proud to be a small part of it."

Globally, stars like Twilight's Robert Pattinson, American actor Rob Lowe and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver have also chipped in with handprints of their own.

The worldwide campaign, which is in its second year, asks customers and supporters to sign the petition at The Body Shop stores or online at www.thebodyshop.com until March 31 next year.

Petitions signed all over the world will be presented to the United Nations in the third quarter of next year.

The Body Shop stores are also selling a special-edition Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream and a Bag for Life, which cost $14.90 and $5.90, respectively.

Profits will be used to fund public-education and engagement activities by campaign partners such as the National Committee for United Nations Development Fund for Women Singapore and Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics.