What Can I Do To Help End Human Trafficking?
(with ideas compiled by Amanda Kloer of http://humantrafficking.change.org)
Educate yourself.
• Read a book about human trafficking. Involve your book club. Some ideas are Disposable
People: New Slavery in the Global Economy by Kevin Bales, Sold by Patricia McCormick,
Nobodies: Modem American Slave Labor by John Bowe, Enslaved: True Stories of Modern
Day Slavery by Jesse Sage and Liora Kasten and edited by Gloria Steinem, Oryx and Crate
by Margaret Atwood.
• Invite some friends over to watch a film on human trafficking and discuss the issue.
Suggestions: Trade, Human Trafficking (HBO series), Slumdog Millionaire, Holly, The Day
My Dog Died, Cargo: Innocence Lost (documentary), Slavery: A Global Investigation
(documentary), Not For Sale: The Documentary, Demand {documentary).
• Attend local events on human trafficking.
• Surf the web to learn more. Some good sites are www.stophumantraffickingny.org,
www.polarisproject.org, www .freetheslaves.net, and www.farmworkerlegalservices.com
Raise awareness. Slavery can be hidden in plain sight. And when awareness is low, slaves can
be out in the open but shielded by our ignorance.
• Tell your friends and family members (everyone!) about human trafficking. Mail carriers,
cable workers, nurses, and social service workers are often the first to come in contact with
victims.
• Give a presentation to your church group, Girl Scout troop, sports team, book club, or PTA.
• Set up a table with information about human trafficking at an upcoming event.
• Write an article for your school or local newspaper.
• Teach a course on human trafficking; teachers guides are available.
• Invite a former slave or human trafficking activist to speak at a gathering. (Speakers bureaus
exist.)
• Create art, music, or performance about the importance of freedom.
Am I part of the problem? Am I one of the nameless, faceless, direct (or indirect)
contributors to human trafficking by creating a demand for certain commodities? Do I refuse to
pay more than $4 for a container of strawberries? Do I watch X-Tube movies or go to the strip
club? Do I expect to pay little for cheap merchandise from China and the Philippines?
Refuse to watch pornography and encourage friends to do the same. Oppose the
commercial sex industry, including prostitution, escort services, strip clubs, pornography, and
the “pimp and ho” culture. Sex trafficking victims can be found in all areas of the commercial sex
industry, and demand for these services results in more human trafficking victims.
(OVER)
Buy Fair Trade. Many local options such as Syracuse Real Food Co-op (Westcott Street) and
Fair World Marketplace (DeWitt) are available. Consider whether slavery is part of your food
chain. Coffee and chocolate often involve slavery.
Vote like you mean it! Support new or better state and local anti-trafficking laws. Write to
your local, state, and national representatives. Let them know you care about ending modem
slavery. Learn more about anti-trafficking laws at www.stophumantraffickingny.org.
Join an organization. Countless organizations are working effectively to combat the problem.
Join them! Some ideas: Syracuse Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (425-0818), Free the
Slaves (www.freetheslaves.net), Polaris Project (www.polarisproiect.org), Not For Sale
Campaign (www.notforsale.org).
Do you speak a foreign language? Consider training to be an interpreter with MAMI
(Multicultural Association of Medical Interpreters) of CNY (214-5003) and help give voice to
silent victims.
Fundraise and contribute to anti-trafficking non-profits that are on the frontlines.
Have a bake sale, car wash, or poetry slam. Come up with some fun and imaginative ways to
raise $$. Some organizations, such as Free the Slaves, help combat human trafficking by
physically rescuing slaves, educating potential slaves and former slaves about their rights, and
helping former slaves start new livelihoods.
Learn about abolitionists of the past, especially those who once lived in our neighborhoods
such as Matilda Joslyn Gage (Fayetteville), Harriet Tubman (Auburn), Gerrit Smith (Peterboro),
William Henry Seward (Auburn). The racism, hatred, bigotry, and indifference that existed 100
years ago and allowed slavery to thrive still exists today.
Consider a career in a human-rights-related field. Interested in law, government, social
work, journalism, health, international relations, or law enforcement? These fields and many
more can lead to a career in eradicating human trafficking.
Volunteer! Many, if not most, of the local, state, and national anti-trafficking organizations
accept volunteers and interns. Contribute in a meaningful way by volunteering your time and
gaining valuable experience.
Report suspected cases of human trafficking. The Department of Health and Human
Trafficking
Hotline is 888-373-7888.
March 2009
THE MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE FOUNDATION
PO Box 192, Fayetteville, NY 13066 | (315) 637-9511 ph/fax | foundation@MatildaJoslynGage.org
www.MatildaJoslynGage.org