06 February 2008
How You Can Fight Human Trafficking
Steps individuals can take to combat modern-day slavery
The U.S. government estimates some 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders and millions more are trafficked within their own countries. Here’s what you can do to stop modern day slavery:
• If you suspect commercial sexual exploitation, notify the police or call the U.S. human trafficking hotlines: 1-888-3737-888; 1-888-428-7581, 1-800-THE LOST or 1-866-DHS-2ICE.
• Fight sex tourism by asking local travel agencies, hotels and tour operators to sign the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children in Travel and Tourism (www.thecode.org).
• Host a human-trafficking-awareness party with beautiful handicrafts that empower slavery survivors. (See www.madebysurvivors.com)
• Write your government representatives to ask for stronger laws to fight human trafficking.
• Organize a local march through an organization like Global March (www.globalmarch.org) to raise awareness in your community.
• Donate to an nongovernmental organization (NGO) that rescues and protects victims.
• Establish a local chapter of a national anti-human-trafficking NGO or volunteer with an NGO.
• Talk to someone about human trafficking or take them to see a film about it.
Source: The Emancipation Network
