Common questions I get when talking with people about Human Trafficking:
Does that really happen today? I mean, I saw TAKEN with Liam Neeson, but that had to be exagerated, right?
The truth is that not only does real life contain stories far more horrific than the trafficking situation portrayed in TAKEN, but these real life situations are occuring within feet of our front door and more than likely to people we know. And, in real life the victim doesn't have a father, like Neeson's character, who has "a very specific set of skills."
I highly recommend reading “The Slave Across the Street” by Theresa Flores. Her story will break your heart and leave you devastated that any human can do such things to another. Were you to meet Theresa, you would be amazed at the grace and poise with which she speaks and with the obvious kindness she exudes when most people would choose violence & vengeance. Read “The Slave Across the Street” by Theresa Flores, you will be glad you did.
What do I do if I see something? How do I know if it is even human trafficking?
If you see something that doesn’t look right, say something! The Polaris Project has an excellent resource available with potential red flags to look for. Another great resource is the FBI link below, which gives a thorough explanation of human trafficking as well as signs to look for (near the end of the article).
http://www.polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/recognizing-the-signs
To report potential Human Trafficking cases please call the Anti-Human Trafficking Hotline 1.888.3737.888 or 911 when you or the victim are in immediate peril.
http://www.polarisproject.org/what-we-do/national-human-trafficking-hotline/report-a-tip
What can I do? (after immediately placing 1.888.3737.888, the Anti-Human Trafficking Hotline, in my cell phone)
1. LEARN: learn all that you can about the subjects of slavery and human trafficking. Check out resources that will help you begin to understand how prevalant slavery is in your own life, such as the interactive Slavery Footprint site or the FREE2WORK mobile app available from the Not For Sale Campaign. I have used both and been shocked at my own involvement even as an abolitionist.
http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/news/2011/11/03/free2work-mobile-app-featured-on-fast-company/
2. JOIN: join a local organization that is seeking the abolition of modern day slavery. A few of my favorite organizations are Exodus Cry, the Not For Sale Campaign, Somaly Mam Foundation, Hookers for Jesus, and the International Justice Mission. There are plenty of awesome organizations out there. The need is not for a thousand more people to start a thousand more organizations, but rather for a thousand more people to join and support the work that is already active.
3. TAKE ACTION: take action in multiple ways.
a. raise awareness, spread the word through speech or artwork
b. donate to an organization that you trust and which is working towards ending slavery
c. become involved with local task forces and law enforcement, taking direction from them in ways that you can contribute.
