What Can I Do about Human Trafficking?

UPDATE: Buy Fair Trade Christmas Gifts 12/8/11 and Support WRD’s program to fight human trafficking in the Triangle.

It is shocking when you realize that you are part of the global problem of human trafficking: our lifestyle choices create the demand for modern day slavery. That horrifying truth, however, has a positive side: small choices each day can change this fact and create a slavery-free world.

Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar international industry–around 32 billion dollars a year (see the Polaris project for more info). Much of the demand for it originates right here in the U.S. Here are some simple choices that can make a difference:

• Buy fair trade–don’t you want to know if your chocolate bar (coffee, t-shirt, cellphone) is so cheap because a young kid was forced to make it? Creating  demand for fair labor lessens the demand for slave labor! Here’s one guide to responsible shopping to help you get started.
• Support immigration reform and your immigrant neighbors. Undocumented immigrants are extremely vulnerable as they are unaware of their rights, fearful of legal authorities, and members of isolated communities.
• Don’t look at pornography. Don’t purchase sex. Don’t purchase media or products that celebrate the exploitation of women.
• Support under-resourced communities: EVERYONE should be able to afford to meet their basic needs without relying on the exploitation of others.
• Be annoying! Ask questions. Look for “red flags.” Email companies and express your concern. Contact your police department and ask if they are trained to recognize the signs of trafficking in your community. You have a voice as a citizen, a consumer, and a community member. Use it!
• Report a tip. Plug this number in your phone so you can call in a tip at anytime: 1-888-3737-888
• Donate to our program (providing for needs for local survivors; creating awareness in our community).

Tell others. People need to know how their attitudes towards sex or their desires for certain clothing leads to the exploitation and slavery of others.

You can watch this video of Danielle Mitchell speaking at the Justice Conference last February. Host a party, watch the video, and have a discussion. We must learn to SEE the problem and OUR involvement in it to END modern day slavery. Start today.