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Possible Ways to Help

Although human trafficking is a global issue and it may seem as if one person can’t help make an impact, that isn’t true. There are surprisingly a number of helpful ways to stop human trafficking. 

Students can make an effort by joining a group called SAM, Student Abolitionist Movement, which gives students ideas and resources to teach others around them of the dangers of trafficking and possible ways to help. Also there is a campaign called Take the Plunge which can be set up at schools where organized events such as a walk to end slavery or selling chocolates can be implemented.

Athletes can join Team Free2Play which provides support to victims of human trafficking through physical activity. Team Free2Play athletes can organize fundraisers at their sporting events or wear the “fair trade” performance gear to show their support to end trafficking. 

Consumers can make an effort by shopping differently or becoming more aware of how the products they are buying were made, to ensure that improper child labor wasn’t used. Consumers can go online and find lists that tell how well products rate on the amount of child labor used to produce them. 

Lastly there is an academy that anyone can attend which is three days long and involves intensive training on how to recognize human trafficking. The only downfall is that the academy is in California and it is very expensive.

All of these possible solutions are minor steps that anyone can take and if enough people participate, human trafficking can be put to an end.

Call the Human Trafficking Hotline if you have any tips towards a possible victim. They need our help!

1-888-3737-888

According to the U.S. Federal Government, the growing issue of Human trafficking must be stopped, not only because of the negative effect it has on society personally and physiologically, but also because it is a great source of income for organized crime and because it promotes and provides a gateway for the illegal movement of immigrants.

Since this crime industry is silent, it takes place behind the scenes, people often have no idea it is happening in their community. It is very scary to think that it takes place very often only an hour and a half from Eaton Rapids. 

The girls at strip clubs can often be doing their jobs just to stay alive while all the people visiting have absolutely no idea.

Human trafficking is an extremely scary reality for many people. Often the people living in impoverished areas are the main target. The victims are stolen from their homes and promised a better life or a way to provide for their family or get an education. Sadly, these are simply false promises used as bait to lure in new victims. They are then forced to obey their owners in order to survive. 

Human trafficking effects a broad range of people, but for the most part, women and children are targeted. The people are soon shipped all over the world, including throughout the U.S., where most citizens are completely unaware of the existence of trafficking in their communities. 

It could be taking place right in your community, how would you know?

After the victims have been taken they are sold and shipped off, then must abide by their owners wishes in order to remain alive. Whether the victims are forced into sexual exploitation or sold into the labor industry, both outcomes are tragic. 

Sex trafficking is the most common form of trafficking. The traffickers take the victims, (usually 12-17 yr. old children), then sell them to slaveholders who deal in commercial sex, for example, pimps, owners of strip clubs, sex bars, brothels, karaoke clubs, or massage parlors. The slaveholder locks them up and takes all their possessions.

Forced labor is the other main form of trafficking. Children are the prime target for this industry as well. Similar to the sex industry, recruiters come talk with families and offer them what seems like a great opportunity for their children. In reality they are actually being tricked and their kids will be sold and serve as slaves. There is an abundance of products made with the use of forced labor and in most cases the consumers have no idea. For example, chocolate, blueberries, or coffee.

Human Trafficking Facts - The Polaris Project

800,000 – Number of people trafficked across international borders every year.

1 million – Number of children exploited by the global commercial sex trade, every year.

50% – Percent of transnational victims who are children.

80% – Percent of transnational victims who are women and girls.

70% – Percent of female victims who are trafficked into the commercial sex industry. This means that 30% of female victims are victims of forced labor.

161 – Countries identified as affected by human trafficking:

      127 countries of origin; 98 transit countries; 137 destination countries.

32 billion – Total yearly profits generated by the human trafficking industry.

        $15.5 billion is made in industrialized countries.

        $9.7 billion in Asia

        $13,000 per year generated on average by each “forced laborer.” This number can be                                             high as $67,200 per victim per year.

There are an estimated 27 million people living in bondage today, yet we know the condition and whereabout of so few of them.

We must make an effort to fight for the freedom of these people. The main reason this horrible crime industry has been able to flourish is because people ignore it. If it isn't personally effecting them they don't even think twice about helping.

People need to realize that there is something each and every person can do to make an impact and its quite easy. All that has to happen is spreading the word. The more people that are aware of human trafficking, the less likely it will be to spread.