In
2010, President Barrack Obama proclaimed January as National Slavery and Human
Trafficking Prevention Month and urged all Americans to educate themselves
about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human
trafficking. To read his proclamation visit the White
House Archives.
Considered
taking time this month to learn more about this topic. Here are some
simple things you can do.
Learn The Red Flags:
- Chronic runaway/truant/homeless youth
- Has goods or services they cannot afford
- Carries multiple cell phones
- Excessive amounts of cash
- Signs of branding (tattoos with a name, symbol, or
bar code)
- Lies about age or has false identification
- Restricted and/or scripted communication (story may
seem rehearsed)
- Inconsistencies in their story
- Avoids eye contact
- Appears scared/nervous
- Lack of knowledge about where they are or why
- Signs of psychological trauma and abuse (anxiety,
depression, thoughts of suicide, panic attacks, lack of emotion)
- Typically has someone with them at all times.
This person may seem controlling or speak for the victim.
Read on the Subject:
- Nobody’s Girl by Barbara
Amaya is an excellent book for raising awareness of the dangers of
runaways and pimp tactics. This book will help you understand how
incredibly difficult it is to put the pieces of your life back together,
to move beyond the pain and trauma, and to learn to trust again
- Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd is a memoir and a great read for understanding how young girls get trapped into this as well as why it is so hard for them to leave. This does have some explicit language, but the overall message is one that needs to be heard.
- The White Umbrella: Walking With Survivors of Sex Trafficking by Mary Frances Bowley will help you understand the trauma these women have experienced and how important the need for healing is.
- For a longer
list of Suggested Books go Here
Take Action:
- Visit Polaris Project and add your name to the petition asking Congress to pass the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act.
- Watch this short
4 minute video called America's
Daughters and then share it on social media
Watch
a movie or documentary:
- My favorite
documentary is Nefarious. It's a comprehensive
look at trafficking, but ends with the focus of the hope and healing that
can be found in Jesus.
- Host a movie
night and show a movie or documentary about trafficking. Gather your friends and family in your
home and provide a platform for some thoughtful discussion after the
movie.
Get
Involved:
- Enter the Human Trafficking Hotline # into your phone 888-373-7888
- Research organizations in your area that are fighting against human trafficking and sign up for their newsletter or email. Take it a step further and donate your time or financial support.
- Know what’s
available for after care here in the Chicago area. Most of them have a huge need for volunteers.
After
Care Homes in the Chicago area
Pray
- Pray, Pray, Pray - There is no better weapon in the fight against Human Trafficking
- Sign up for the
daily prayer email with Shared Hope
International and commit to praying once a day during the month
of January to end sex trafficking.
Specifically, January 11th is the day set aside as Human
Trafficking Awareness Day. Consider setting a timer on your phone to
go off every 2 minutes as a reminder that every 2 minutes a child is trafficked
for the purpose of sexual exploitation. When someone asks you about your
timer be prepared to share this statistic with them.
No comments:
Post a Comment