5 Ways You Can Start Fighting Human Trafficking Today
In this op-ed, founder and host of The Trafficking Dispatch, a student-run anti-trafficking podcast, Victoria Erdel maps the history of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and explains five ways you can help put an end to human trafficking.
In 2013, the United Nations (UN) chose July 30 as the day to “raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.”
Most people have at least heard of human trafficking and its common alternative name, modern slavery.
The victims of human trafficking are people who are sold for sex, physical labor, or body parts without consent, because they lack alternative options that give them the freedom to choose.
There are different estimates of the number of victims in the world today, but virtually all sources agree that it’s in the millions — millions of people, on almost every continent, in every country, in remote and densely populated areas.
So what can we do about this? As a young anti-trafficking advocate, I have drawn upon personal experience and expert advice to compile five things that we can start doing on July 30th.
1. Educate yourself.
Knowing the UNODC’s definition of human trafficking only scratches the surface. Thankfully, there are many resources to help you learn more. You can find plenty of books, documentaries and feature films, articles, and even podcasts on the topic. For example, The Trafficking Dispatch, a podcast I launched, is by and for youth to raise awareness and inspire concrete action against human trafficking in all its forms.
2. Speak up.
Whether it’s calling or texting the National Human Trafficking Hotline when you notice signs of human trafficking or discussing anti-trafficking legislation with your government officials through services like Resistbot, there are plenty of ways that you can make your voice heard.
3. Tap into your talents.
Through my work with The Trafficking Dispatch, I have interviewed survivors, web designers, social workers, pageant titleholders, singers, and more. They have shown me that, whatever your background and interests, you can use your unique voice to raise awareness and fight human trafficking in your own way.
4. Volunteer directly.
If you want a more direct role in the fight against human trafficking, volunteering at a local anti-trafficking organization is a great option. Volunteer opportunities can range from working directly with survivors to completing office tasks, but whatever your task, it will help organizations run more efficiently and reach out to more at-risk people in the long run.
5. Practice self-care.
I recently attended the Students Opposing Slavery International Summit, which featured experts like Bonnie Martin, a counselor who works with survivors. During her presentation, she talked to the audience about the importance of self-care. I remember her telling us, “When it comes to fighting human trafficking, you don’t have to be strong enough. You just have to be smart enough.” On our own, none of us can tackle the entirety of the issue, no matter how determined we are. We need to share the burden and take care of ourselves. If we don’t, we will burn out and can’t help others. As you work through the previous four steps, be sure to surround yourself with a strong support system, and take time to rest and recover.
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📸: Leonardo Alvarez Hernandez / Getty Images
