Human trafficking. Two words we seem to hear more frequently today, but in reality, is it really something about which you should be concerned? I mean, it’s not happening close to where you live, right? That stuff happens half a world away. Why should you even think about it? Believe it or not, human trafficking exists right under your nose, often in plain sight. That shirt you are wearing might be produced in a place known for forced labor or its exploitation of workers. Consider the food you eat, the electronics you use, and even the makeup you buy. All of those things can come from a production facility that uses forced labor. Yes, we know it can be difficult to change your daily habits in an effort to stand up against human trafficking, taking a stand and saying “no” to those companies who use forced labor for their own means. But as a consumer, you have so much power. Just a few of the things you can do on your own initiative include purchasing fair trade products if your budget allows for it. Put the pressure on companies from whom you do purchase products and goods to adopt policies in opposition to forced labor and human trafficking. Encourage them to follow good working conditions, along with a transparent supply chain.
If you are feeling a bit more ambitious, then get out there and walk the walk. How can you fully understand something if all you do is read about it? You don’t have to go half-way around the world to get into the trenches. You can dig in and volunteer close to home. One such resource is the Polaris Project (polarisproject.org). This is one of the most influential groups working on the issue of human trafficking in the U.S. with a goal to end modern-day slavery. The Polaris Project advocates for tougher federal and state laws to provide support and services for trafficking victims and assist survivors with long-term strategies to end forced labor. Polaris uncovers staggering numbers of human trafficking cases in the US each year. Through its hotline in 2016, Polaris learned of 8,042 cases of human trafficking. Fortunately, more survivors are reaching out for help than they have in the past, which gives Polaris insight into who the victims are and how they are brought into this form of modern-day slavery. Polaris aims to put companies out of business who use these practices to keep them from harming more people while ultimately finding support services for the survivors.
One of the first steps you can do NOW is to call on Congress to strengthen its policies and practices geared towards eradicating human trafficking. You may think that your voice may not be enough, but even just one more voice serves to bring us closer to a solution. We encourage you to take action today. Your voice matters.
