January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. And today, January 11, 2013, is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. So here are some things you can do today (and this month, and longer!) to help spread awareness about modern-day slavery and human trafficking and to help put an end to it.
- Educate yourself and others
- There are many informative books about slavery and human trafficking. Check out my list here.
- Many films and documentaries have been made to help spread awareness about modern-day slavery, so check out some of them here.
- There are also many excellent resources put out by various organizations. Take a look at these resources for everyone, resources for churches, and videos.
- Support organizations
- By financially supporting organizations that are working to end slavery and human trafficking, you can help them protect the vulnerable, prevent slavery from happening, educate people, rescue and restore victims, and carry out justice.
- Check out my “directory” of some excellent organizations and then choose one or more to support.
- Pray
- Take a look at these prayer guides for some helpful ways to pray about modern-day slavery and human trafficking.
- Memorize the number for the National Human Trafficking Hotline
- 1-888-3737-888
- Call to report a tip or to request information and resources about modern-day slavery and human trafficking.
- Sponsor an orphan
- Orphans are very vulnerable to human trafficking. By sponsoring an orphan, you can help protect him or her from slavery and other dangers.
- Children’s HopeChest, Make Way Partners, Compassion International, and World Vision are a few organizations that work to protect orphans from human trafficking and advocate for the protection of vulnerable and exploited children.
- Stay updated
- There are many blogs on the web that deal with the issues of slavery and human trafficking. Check out these abolition blogs and the bloggers map.
- Every day there is something in the news about slavery and human trafficking. Take a look at what’s in the news regarding these issues.
- Stay connected
- Spread the word
- Tell people you know about human trafficking and modern-day slavery and what they can do to help end it. The more people who know about this, the more can be done to stop it.
I hope this will help you become more aware of the reality of modern-day slavery and human trafficking and inspire you to spread awareness and join the fight for justice!
“You may choose to look the other way, but you can never again say that you did not know.” ~ William Wilberforce, British abolitionist, 1789
Image credit: Ira Gelb
