Take Action: 9 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking

Human trafficking victimizes more than 40 million children, men, and women globally. The numbers are harrowing, but each represents a human treated as a disposable commodity. Although we may have compassion for the victims, it can seem like something that happens to someone else and doesn’t directly affect us. 

The magnitude of the problem makes it incomprehensible and impossible to overcome. Regardless of the name assigned to it—human trafficking, modern slavery, forced or bonded labor, debt bondage, sex trafficking—it is a crime, generating an estimated $150 billion annually that profits criminal traffickers. 

It’s easy to feel helpless when dealing with massive, overwhelming issues like human trafficking. But unfortunately, complacency only contributes to the problem. Fortunately, there are steps everyone can take to combat this illicit industry. So, how can you get involved and make a difference? Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Watch for signs of human trafficking. Know that to look for that indicates someone is a victim of human trafficking. Understanding the signs increases the likelihood of reporting and gives a voice to victims who do not feel comfortable speaking out for themselves. Many signs can signal human trafficking.
  2. Become an advocate. Communicate with your local, state, and federal representatives to bring the issue to their attention. Ask them to secure more resources and provide innovative training to prevent trafficking and rescue trafficking victims.
  3. Report suspicious situations. If something looks suspicious, report it. There are several options to report a tip: 
    • The National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, available 24/7
    • The US Department of Homeland Security at 1-866-347-2423, international tip line 1-802-872-6199, or online at www.ice.gov/tips, available 24/7
    • The FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov/ 
    • The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 1-800-THE-LOST or online at www.cybertipline.com
  4. Be a conscientious and informed consumer. Find out more about who may have picked your tomatoes or made your clothes at ResponsibleSourcingTool.org, or check out the Department of Labor’s List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor. Encourage the companies you patronize to take steps to prevent human trafficking in their supply chains and publish the information, including supplier or factory lists, for consumer awareness.
  5. Encourage human trafficking education in schools. Work with local legislators and school board officials to ensure that they include human trafficking in their curricula and develop protocols about identifying and reporting a suspected case of human trafficking or responding to a potential victim. Request that schools in your area develop a trafficking prevention plan.
  6. Mentor a young person or someone in need. Traffickers often target vulnerable people going through a difficult time or who lack strong support systems. As a mentor, you can provide guidance and support. 
  7. Volunteer with an organization that fights human trafficking. As a volunteer, you can provide much-needed help and greater outreach. Find an organization in your area, or work with a national or international organization virtually.
  8. Hold awareness and fundraising events. Whether through a community association, book club, or your place of worship, hosting an event that informs people about human trafficking gets more people involved and interested in joining the fight. If your event includes fundraising, donate it to a nonprofit organization like The Orphan’s Hands to help them achieve their mission.
  9. Help survivors. There are myriad ways to help survivors of human trafficking. One option is to donate clothes and other goods to shelters for victims of human trafficking. You can also encourage businesses to give jobs to survivors to help them get back on their feet and get a fresh start. Assisting survivors and contributing to their recovery is critical to stop the cycle of trauma in its tracks and ensure it won’t repeat itself.

Everyone Can Fight Human Trafficking

No matter how small, every effort can make a difference in the fight against human trafficking. The generosity of our supporters has helped us provide a safe life for young people once trapped in a life of human slavery and provide shelter, food, and medical care for those in need. Every donation helps deliver hope!

Together, we can change and save lives.