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4 Easy Ways to Help End Human Trafficking

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Children, especially those who are abused or neglected in their own homes, are especially at risk of becoming one of the 20 to 27 million people trafficked worldwide for labor or sex. The average age of a child exploited through sex trafficking is 14 or 15.

So what can you do about it?

There are three apps that make fighting human trafficking something that you can easily do every day.

  1. The International LaborOrganization estimates that there are 20.1 million people trapped in forced labor worldwide, making it the most prevalent form of human trafficking. The Ethical Barcode app allows you to scan the barcode of any product in the grocery store to quickly discover who manufactured it and whether they use ethical labor practices so you know what you’re truly supporting when you purchase their goods.
  2. The TraffickCam app can be used when you’re traveling. By uploading photos of your hotel and Airbnb rooms, you’re helping law enforcement recognize and determine where perpetrators of sex trafficking are committing their crimes.  
  3. The Ban Human Trafficking app is sponsored by the European Union. In this app, users select a character and they are placed into situations where the choices you make may lead your character to being trafficked based on your answers. It is a very eye-opening and educational tool.

In addition to all of this, if you suspect an instance of human trafficking or are in need of assistance or support, call or text “BE FREE” (233733) to 1-888-373-7888. This hotline is available 24/7 as a recourse to both assist victims of trafficking and those working to prevent it. 

If you want more information on the complexities of human trafficking and how to prevent it, sign up for one of our upcoming training sessions. Together, we can work toward ending this form of modern slavery and help those it affects get the help they need.