Human trafficking how can you help

Are you an attorney? Offer pro-bono services Visit disclaimer page. Writing a story? Use media best practices Visit disclaimer page. Work in hospitals or clinics? Ask representatives Visit disclaimer page how they are addressing human trafficking. Let them know what your community needs. Office on Trafficking in Persons.

Click to expand menu. Click to expand search. About Expand. What Is Human Trafficking? Myths and Facts About Human Trafficking. Contact OTIP. Victim Assistance Expand. Available Services. National Human Trafficking Hotline. Victim Assistance Grants. Respect their choices. Be patient. Self-empowerment may take longer than you want. Go at their pace, not yours. Consider calling CFPA to learn more about the kinds of help available, to ask questions specific to the situation, and to learn how you can be an effective and supportive ally.

Do Not: Do not accuse, diagnose, or judge their choices; do not draw conclusions about what they may be experiencing or feeling; and do not judge or criticize their abuser. Do not pressure them to leave the trafficker or abusive relationship. There are many reasons they may choose to stay.

Some of these allow individuals to work directly with the victims of human trafficking, while others are a more supportive role.

Examples include:. Degrees in social work form the foundation of many careers that naturally intertwine with the fight against human trafficking. Social work can include anything from working with those in the grip of addiction to looking out for child welfare to being an integral part of the criminal justice system. Here are a few examples of what those in social work can do to help fight against trafficking:.

The in-depth understanding of psychology can assist in spotting the subtle signs of trafficking, from the way a person acts when approached by others to the things they say — or do not say — in the course of a conversation or even an investigation. Homeland security is often at the forefront of the fight against trafficking on a national scale, fighting to not only rescue victims crossing into the U.

Homeland security professionals might wind up in any number of career trajectories that put them in direct contact with those in desperate need of help. A few examples include:. Human traffickers are now using advancing technology to streamline their operations. Cybersecurity professionals can be right there to follow along, finding the traffickers and dismantling their plans.

Cybersecurity provides an opportunity for individuals to work in a variety of organizations and agencies that chase traffickers and use their internet footprint to bring them to justice.

For instance:. They will gain a firm understanding of the history of trafficking and how it has evolved, the reasons it is so prevalent, and most importantly, the steps that can be done to stop it. Human trafficking is a global problem, and those with a strong background in international relations can see the bigger picture of the issue.

A degree in this field opens up doors in many lines of work, so any organization that is working to eliminate trafficking could be a good option for using your skills. International relations can provide a firm understanding of how the trafficking channels between countries work, how cultural differences can lead to various types of forced labor or sex trafficking, and how to reach out to victims with those cultural sensitivities in mind. But there are several ways students can speak out, shine attention on the problem, and make a difference.

There are lots of things that each of us can do to help prevent human trafficking. We can ensure that we are purchasing fair trade product and not supporting labor trafficking in the supply chain.

It is also important to be informed about the red flags and how to report tips about possible victims to the national hotline. Everyone can support local, national, and international policies and programs to prevent trafficking and provide better services for victims. For example, we can support initiatives that require all school districts implement human trafficking education in schools, something that many counties have already done.

We can also support legislation around human trafficking and join advocacy groups to lobby our legislators to do more. Something else that is not talked about enough is the fact that each of us can play an important role in helping to prevent young people from falling prey to traffickers through mentoring and supporting at-risk kids. Because it is the kids who have low self-esteem or problems at home that are the most vulnerable to traffickers.

And we can all reject sexual stereotypes and positive portrayals of pimps. We can challenge gender socialization in which boys are encouraged to be sexually aggressive while girls are supposed to be submissive and weak. The sexual stereotypes that perpetuate these, are not harmless, and normalize sexual violence. A trauma-informed approach takes into consideration the role of the trauma that victims have experienced. Victims may not behave in a way that we think is rational or appropriate.

They may have what we believe is poor judgement. But it is critical to understand that their behaviors have often resulted as biologically-driven survival strategies to cope with long-term exposures to abuse. Trauma is also associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, which can lead to difficulties controlling emotions, sudden outbursts of anger, difficulties concentrating, dissociation, and increased risk taking. Victims may have hypersensitivity to everyday situations, which they may perceive as dangerous, threatening or out of control.

And they avoid seeking help or support from others because of mistrust. The result is that people may lack not only lack empathy for victims, but it can result in judgmental attitudes and even re-victimization of those who have survived trauma. Victims can be judged as lying about their stories, difficult to deal with, or even to blame for their situations. So, we definitely need more awareness about how trauma impacts victims of trafficking and more training for law enforcement, those in the justice system, health professionals, and others who work directly with victims.

People often have this Hollywood version of what a trafficking victim might look like. Most victims will not be kidnapped, drugged, and chained up. Many victims have cell phones. They are allowed days off to go shopping, church, or other places. And most people are really shocked to hear that many traffickers are women.

So female traffickers often get by without anyone noticing. On this page. Select a Subject Select a Subject. Sponsored publicservicedegrees. Featured programs and school matching are for institutions that compensate us.

This compensation will never influence our school rankings, in-depth guidebooks, or any other information or resources published on this site. Meet the Expert. Human Trafficking Though the U. Modern Slavery According to the U. Forced Labor. Bonded Labor.

Domestic Servitude. Sex Trafficking. Child Sex Trafficking. International Labor Office. Has unusual restrictions at work, such as no breaks Works excessively long hours, or lives and works onsite Has a great deal of anxiety, worry, or depression Exhibits fear at the mention of law enforcement officials Offers a scripted story to explain signs of abuse Is not allowed to speak for themselves Shows signs of poor hygiene, malnourishment, fatigue, or abuse.

Signs to Look Out for in Your Profession Medical Professionals Those in the medical profession are in a unique position to spot physical signs of abuse, overwork, neglect, or other concerns that could raise a red flag for trafficking. Signs to Look Out for as a Friend or Relative Look for changes in the behavior, attitude, and mental and physical health of friends and family members.

Share this Slavery and Trafficking Fact Sheet to help others see how prevalent the problem is. Host an educational event at a local community center that focuses on how to spot the signs of human trafficking.