Human Trafficking Awareness

Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  Human Trafficking is just another way to describe modern day slavery.  I grew up believing that slavery was a terrible part of our history -  I never knew that it was still something that existed in our modern world.  I think a lot of people continue to think that way - because human trafficking happens in the shadows, it is easy to ignore it and pretend that it doesn't exist.  But it does exist - and it exists on an even larger scale than ever before.  

It is estimated that there are over 40 million slaves in the world today.  The majority of slaves are women and girls, and a quarter of all slaves are children.  The average cost of a slave is $90 - this is lower than at any time in history.  Human Trafficking is a global industry that generates more than $150 billion every single year.  This astronomical amount is more than the earnings of Facebook, Disney, Google, Microsoft, and Apple combined!  

Human Trafficking is not something that just exists somewhere else - this is something that has been reported in ALL 50 of the United States.  We can not pretend that it doesn't exist.  We must be willing to stand up for those who are enslaved.  

There are several different types of human trafficking.  Forced labor is when someone is exploited for physical labor.  Forced labor is used to produce many products that we use on a daily basis - it is prominently used in fishing, textiles, construction, and agriculture.  That means that what we eat and what we wear may have been touched by a slave.  Another form of human trafficking is sex trafficking.  Many of the victims of the sex industry have been coerced through false promises of employment or educational opportunities.  Child labor can include forced labor or sex trafficking. Children from group homes or foster care are especially vulnerable to trafficking, as are runaways.  Forced marriage and domestic servitude are two additional types of human trafficking.  

I believe that all of us, when faced with these facts, want to do what we can to end slavery.  

So what can we do to make a difference?  

1. Educate ourselves about the problem.  You can explore websites like Polaris and End Slavery Now.  You can also check out  my Amazon reading list on Human Trafficking.  
2. Fight for the victim when possible.  In recent news, Cyntoia Brown, a sex trafficking victim, was granted clemency for killing her perpetrator.  This clemency was granted in large part due to the outcry of the public to Governor Haslam to intervene.  Because regular people called, texted, tweeted, and wrote, action was taken.  
3. Give to organizations who are on the front lines of the fight against trafficking.  I partner with Dressember every December to raise money.  My fundraising campaign is still open through the end of January, and I would appreciate any and all donations to help me meet my goal!  Dressember partners with some of the largest anti-trafficking organizations in the world, such as International Justice Mission, A21, Love 146, Cast, and Thorn.  Find and follow these organizations on social media to keep up with the fight.  
4. When possible, switch to fair trade products.  Coffee and chocolate are products that heavily rely on slave labor.  Check out a list of slave-free companies here.  Making fair trade purchases also gives people employment opportunities so that they are not as vulnerable to trafficking.  
5. Buy less.  Say no to fast fashion.  Buy items that are well-made and will last a long time.  
6. Buy used.  Purchasing used items doesn't add to the demand.  
7. Buy goods from survivors. Shop for Freedom is one company that offers products made by women who were once enslaved in the sex industry.  Trades of Hope works with several artisan groups in Asia and the United States who are made of up trafficking survivors as well!  Elegantees is a clothing company that employs survivors of trafficking in Nepal.  
8. Know the signs of potential trafficking and be willing to speak up! People in the health field especially are able to see issues and intervene.  
   
    

These are just some small steps that you and I can take to make a difference.  I love this quote by International Justice Mission's President - 

Let's show up on time!