“What can I do to help in the fight against sex trafficking?”
This is a question that we are regularly asked and maybe you’ve found yourself asking a similar question. The possibilities of ways to get involved may seem overwhelming, vague, or could leave some wondering how much time you could truly devote. May we suggest that one of the most powerful options you can do to join the fight is to educate yourself? Now you may be thinking “Seriously? It doesn’t feel like enough. Would I really be doing anything?” And our answer would be YES! When we say this is invaluable, we truly mean it! You have the opportunity to be a part of eradicating sex trafficking by educating yourself and learning how to be the eyes and ears in your community.
Okay, so you’re convinced! Now where to start? Here are four resources that we use on a regular basis. All of these websites contain a wealth of knowledge that is up-to-date and meets people wherever they are on their sex trafficking education journey. There is so much to appreciate about each one of these organizations. It was hard, but for each one, we picked one thing that we really like about them to try and help guide you on your journey.
Polaris Project
Polaris Project has become one of the leading organizations when it comes to data surrounding trafficking in the United States. For over a decade, Polaris Project has operated the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline. They focus on improving the responses around trafficking and how communities, businesses and governments can help to prevent trafficking by addressing vulnerabilities that foster trafficking. They work closely with survivors to ensure that their recommendations are dignifying to those they strive to serve.
Helpful Hint: One of the things that we have found very helpful on their website is the way they break down definitions of trafficking and explain vulnerabilities that different populations face.
Shared Hope International
While Polaris Project addresses both labor and sex trafficking, Shared Hope International focuses more specifically on minors who are being sex trafficked in the United States.
Helpful Hint: One thing that we really like about Shared Hope International is the practical ideas they give on how to get involved in the fight against trafficking. They have ways for everyone to get involved, from parents wanting to learn more about how to protect their kids online, to learning how you can stand in the gap when it comes to legislation, to training so that you can go out in the community to educate others. They truly have options for all people.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) heartbeat is to protect children. Their scope is much broader than just sex trafficking, but what we really like about them is the resources they have created for parents and caregivers.
Helpful Hint: Their two programs, Net Smartz and Kid Smartz are programs that are designed to facilitate age-appropriate conversations with children around online safety, recognizing safe adults and boundaries.
A21
A21 is on a mission to see slavery abolished in the 21st century. They are a global organization and they strive to break the cycles that result in people being trafficked. One of the ways they do this is through educating as many people of all ages as possible. It is because of this that their education section contains rich content!
Helpful Hint: A21 has resources for educating people on staying safe starting from the age of three, all the way up to adults. They are age appropriate and can be used to help facilitate those difficult conversations.
Ready to Join the Fight?
We hope that you find these resources as helpful as we have. Thank you for choosing to join in the fight with us!
If this has sparked your interest and you want to continue to educate yourself we would encourage you to check out our Fireside Chats and Sarah’s Home Trainings. They are in-person events where we dive further into these topics.