4 Ways to Fight Human Trafficking

FF2C stands with survivors on all fronts, and in doing so, we acknowledge the stress that comes from reading material that can be uncomfortable, such as discussions about human trafficking. The following article may be triggering. These are sensitive subjects with life-changing circumstances, events, or results for people worldwide.  

     Learning about human trafficking and related content like sexual assaults for the first time may be difficult, especially if you or someone you know is a victim or survivor. Feelings of anxiety, anger, fear, sadness, etc., are understandable to experience when reading such material. If you feel overwhelmed with the material, please contact a professional for further assistance, as we encourage education but want to ensure you receive it in a safe space.   

     Protecting children, women, and others from the dangers of human trafficking is one key to dismantling it. Protection comes from implementing awareness, education, training, support, and other critical components into everyday conversations which can promote action. So, although this information may feel unpleasant, it is essential to have these conversations. We hope you find value, hope, and inspiration from our four ways to fight human trafficking.     

4 Ways to Combat Human Trafficking 

1) See & Recognize Perpetrators vs. Victims

2) Collect Information & Report 

3) Fight 

4) Create/Share Information

Human trafficking has become more openly talked about in the last couple of years. Still, we have a lot more work to do to end it. Statistics prove it, and at the rate human trafficking is going, its reach of destruction will overthrow the number of people who have not been affected by it. Moreover, cycles of abuse, suffering, and other immoral acts against humans will worsen without unification to stop it. 

1) See & Recognize Perpetrators vs. Victims –  In this section, you will find commonly asked questions and answers about who's playing what role in human trafficking. 

What is human trafficking? 

U.S. Law defines trafficking in persons as "sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age;" or "the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery."  

Source: Human Trafficking by the Numbers | Human Rights First

Human trafficking can also be called "trafficking in persons" or "modern-day slavery." Helping a person cross a border illegally is called human smuggling. Although there may be similarities, it's important to note that human smuggling is not the same as human trafficking.   

     Victims of human trafficking are forced into different acts at the trafficker's discretion, ranging from commercial or private sex acts to labor-intensive jobs/duties without sexually related events.  

     Commercial human sex trafficking victims (aka domestic sex workers or forced prostitution victims) are often sold into prostitution rings that use psychology, drugs, abuse, and violence as the gate to trap victims in further cycles of abusive patterns, relationships, or events.     

     Person(s) or children trafficked for labor purposes can be exposed to horrid living conditions, deprived of food and water, and forced to work long hours with little to no pay. These may result in health problems, family problems, and possibly death.  

     All human trafficked victims can undergo layers of violence, abuse, and derogation of human rights or death. However, it's important to add that not all human traffickers resort to violence to get or keep their victims. Instead, some traffickers use psychology to trick victims, often initially portraying themselves as loving, kind, or protective figures. They do it to gain trust, love, or dependency, making it easier to isolate and entrap victims of human trafficking.  

     Grooming is when abusers like a trafficker or child molester manipulate the potential victim (and their family members), intending to abuse or misuse the adult or child. A perpetrator using grooming tactics uses close relationships to find and access their prey. Groomers often choose victims nearby because they want easy targets.  

     "Nearby" refers to a relative, family friend, neighbor, church or school member/associate, online friend/associate, or any person the victim or their family trusts can be a groomer/perpetrator.   

     Of course, not everyone has evil intentions, and trustworthy individuals are everywhere. We acknowledge that is true; however, we recommend parents and parental figures instill barriers that make it hard for groomers/perpetrators to condition children. Monitor interactions between adults and children, ask both parties questions about time spent together and look for signs that something is off. Both online activities and time with a relative, family friend, or other adults can be a cause of concern when a dangerous adult is trying to groom a child or adult.   

     Yes, adults can be "groomed," too. For instance, dating sites have been the recent hotspot for this problem. Please be cautious when dating because some people seek out women who have been abused, hurt, or have no financial stability and use grooming to bait women in before hurting them or their children. These perpetrators/groomers could be after a person, or if applicable, a mother, her child (or children), or both, and will begin the relationship portraying themselves as whatever is needed to gain the target's trust, such as a father figure or potential husband.  

     Groomers can be anyone. For instance, religious or authoritative figures can access some of the most vulnerable people, such as homeless people or at-risk youth.  

     A groomer might be a community pillar who uses their societal position to select and target their prey. These particular perpetrators may tell victim(s) that no one will believe them because of who they are or who they know, and that fear drives many victims to stay silent.   

     Groomers will seem more interested, invested, and trustworthy than any person the victim (or intended target) has met, but that's the key to their method, gain trust to attack whenever they want or need, which can happen quickly or over a long time.    

Who is at risk of becoming a victim of human trafficking? 

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 30,000 cases of potential human trafficking have been reported in all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories. They also show that of the 20.9 million victims of human trafficking, 68% are forced labor victims, 22% are sexually exploited victims, and 10% are state-imposed forced labor human trafficking victims. The National Human Trafficking hotline reports that since 2012, 18% of national hotline cases reported were men.  

     Source: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.      

     Statistics related to human trafficking reflect known cases; however, the numbers are likely much higher when we account for undocumented or unreported cases.   

     Women and children are the majority of people subjected to human trafficking; however, this is not a gender-exclusive threat. Therefore, every person must take safety, awareness, and personal security seriously.  

     A person or child of ANY race, religion, age, etc. can be a victim of human trafficking, so, again, please remain vigilant. The more vulnerable a person or child is, the higher the risk they may become targeted for human trafficking because that seems to be the only pattern.  

     Vulnerabilities are things that a predator seeks out in a target because knowing a person's weakness makes it easier to use against them. For example, a vulnerability can be economic such as a homeless adult (or child) or a runaway needing money for food, shelter, etc. Another example is a previously traumatized person who shares their painful life story with someone who only wants to know, so they know what triggers to use against the victim.   

What are some signs (or indicators) of a human trafficked victim? 

Signs (or indicators) of a human trafficked victim may not be obvious. There are ways to distinguish a victim from a perpetrator. Still, it can be dangerous to access the situation without making someone suspicious and potentially putting yourself and the victim in harm's way. So, before we share the signs, we ask you to be cautious when evaluating a potentially life-threatening situation.   

     If you are unsure but suspect something is wrong or you see suspicious activity, please contact law enforcement for further assistance (see resource section for contact information). Although the following examples do not necessarily mean a person is a victim of human trafficking, these examples can be helpful to use when deciphering your next step.  

     A person exhibiting signs of victimization and someone with no visible signs does not confirm that illegal activities are happening or that it's not happening. Because each case and the indicators vary, spotting potential victims can be tricky, but knowledge comes with training, education, and awareness. Use that knowledge when necessary to protect yourself and those around you.   

     Observing the appearance, behavior, or mindset of a victim or human trafficker should be done inconspicuously to avoid raising suspicion. Individuals exhibiting physical, behavioral, social, or environmental signs of being victimized will vary; the absence or abundance of signs/indicators is not proof of a crime. Let the authorities decide if and how to proceed to avoid potentially interfering and jeopardizing criminal prosecution against the trafficker(s).

Physical Signs/Indicators of a potential human trafficking victim 

• Person or child has visual signs of abuse like bruises, burns, scars, or wounds, which can be new or old.  
• A person or child who appears severely underweight or malnourished, this person (or child) may wear oversized clothing to appear bigger or healthy.  

 Behavioral Signs/Indicators of a potential human trafficking victim 

• Person or child wears inappropriate clothing and may act in an overly sexual manner. 
• Person or child may appear nervous, fearful, confused, or anxious, and they may attempt to avoid law enforcement agents.     

 Social Signs/Indicators of a potential human trafficking victim 

• Lack of freely speaking. You may witness a person or child not permitted to talk or respond without someone giving them the okay first. You may see a head nod or other nonverbal gestures from someone nearby, which signals the go-ahead to talk or to be quiet. Said dialog may be monitored and directed by the trafficker (or a co-worker) or programmed into the victim.  
• Limited social interactions to none at all. Person or child is not allowed to participate in social activities such as school, work, family events, etc.  

 Environmental Signs/Indicators of a potential human trafficking victim 

• Person or child may be confined to small living spaces or resides at a job site. Victims may live in unsanitary and dangerous conditions with little to no food, water, or personal supplies. 
• Person or child has limited or no possessions. 

What are some signs of a human trafficker?

• Person may suddenly have a lot of money but has no proof such as pay stubs or verifiable employment information.
•  Person may have multiple phones or accounts and may be incredibly secretive about people or places they frequent, such as massage parlors, clubs, etc. 

We want to highlight that a human trafficker can work alone or in a collaborative group. Traffickers may have systems in place or do things spontaneously, which are equally dangerous, and difficult to fight alone. However, we are powerful when businesses, advocates, victims, and supporters join forces. We can deter, disrupt, and eventually stop these crimes and the ones that result from them, but we must do it together.    

     Properly trained law enforcement agents, health care providers, teachers, and other authoritative figures can help by not treating victims such as prostitutes or illegal immigrants as criminals. We need funds donated to groups that provide training, education, support, etc., to better equip people with the most opportunity to help victims.   

Who has more power than they know, and how can we reach them? 

Anyone that can disrupt human trafficking has more power than they might be aware of, and guess what-- that's a whole lot of us. More positive results can happen if there are eyes that know what to look for and no fear of telling.    

     Do not approach a potential trafficker; failed attempts to stop a dangerous person can jeopardize lives and potential criminal cases. Instead, disrupt their plans by calling law enforcement or another resource listed in the resource section of this article, and give them all the information you gathered discretely.  

     Never engage in illegal activities to gather information; not only is this dangerous, but criminal activity results in jail, regardless of your intentions. Instead, legally and discreetly gather information and report everything as mentioned throughout this article.    

     Hotels, motels, and now Air B&B owners are a few obvious businesses that can and should report suspicious activities because these are notorious for prostitution, drug selling or using, and other illegal interactions.  

     However, all kinds of businesses are possible locations of human trafficking activity, like fast food restaurants, gas stations, clothing stores, nail shops, and more. So, it's imperative for everyone, from staff to management, to be aware of the dos and don'ts for encountering a potential situation with a victim or a trafficker.  

     Staff meetings are the perfect opportunity for employees and management to communicate problematic areas like low-lighting parking lots/spots where transactions are easier to hide. Talk about warning signs/indicators and risks, and share information openly so people around you are prepared to address issues without confusion or misguidance.  

     Monitoring who is on your property or hanging around while working, at church, etc., can be extremely helpful in deterring some predators. So, remain observant, trust your instincts, and report suspicious activity.   

     We hope individuals and businesses continue (or start) fighting the atrocities of human trafficking because traffickers will not stop themselves. Predators cannot or won't quit because of money, power, exploitation benefits like commercial sex acts, and other factors that play into the mindset of a person capable of kidnapping, buying, selling, and (or) handling a person as if they are property.  

     There are hundreds of videos online showing human traffickers (or kidnappers/predators) trying to kidnap children and women in broad daylight, some people escape, and others have been snatched right out of a mother's embrace. Since human traffickers will not stop committing these crimes and are blatantly more aggressive, it is up to individuals, groups, communities, and businesses alike to focus on protecting each other. 

How can individuals and businesses protect each other from human trafficking threats? 

Individuals- Have a plan for at-home and (or) at-work emergencies. It's been shown that creating "disaster/emergency plans" and replaying different scenarios can help us mentally and physically prepare us during a similar real-life emergency.  

     Please study this method of building resistance and survival levels from traumatic experiences. A quick tip is to grab your experience and imagination, a notepad, or partner and give your brain the memory of an event or situation that has not happened yet.  

     For example, if you work at night, consider creating plans that have the possibility of occurring, like a cashier working alone who can be robbed, hurt, etc. Think about what you want to do and play it out (mentally or write it down for a visual). The objective is to plant the training memories as seeds into your memory bank and use them during emergencies. 

     Doing this can help you react instead of freezing up during a dangerous situation because your brain has trained for it.   

Now let's talk about work- Businesses are responsible for protecting their customers and employees as much as their products and supplies. We believe this is true, but not all companies harbor the same beliefs. Still, we have to push all of them in the right direction. 

     Perhaps people not invested in the community's safety shouldn't gain from them. At least not without the knowledge that we won't support non-supporters any longer.    

     Some companies understand the risks to their employees and customers and provide extensive security and training. But do they have policies that clearly outline what you should do when encountering a potential human trafficking situation? Ask your supervisor or employer for procedures and training, and help build a safer workplace and community. 

     Speak up at your next staff meeting to get the team involved or schedule an appointment with a supervisor to ask questions regarding company protocol privately. Create a list of questions beforehand and take notes if need be.  

     Please see the following as examples of questions you can ask your employer/supervisor:  

• Who's responsible for going to unsafe locations of the property (i.e., trash dumpster)? What protection is provided if you are asked to, for example, take the trash out? Or related questions about safety and your position. 
• Is any area of the property without working cameras that could be high-risk and should be avoided? If so, can we ensure vulnerable individuals such as younger employees do not have to go into these areas or make them safer? 
• Are you allowed to keep a personal safety weapon on you? If so, what kind?   

     Keep in mind that these questions may upset some employers, so please ask questions in a professional manner and setting. Re-evaluate the benefits versus risks regarding an employer who resents people for speaking up or asking such questions.    

     Another way individuals can protect each other is by recognizing that all businesses do not operate ethically. Labor cost significantly affects the growing demand for traffickers. Some companies are either unaware or intentionally blind to who and how their products are manufactured or distributed as long as they make money.  

     Shopping for goods or services can be a fun or necessary activity. We look for deals, quality, or other factors to ensure our shopping trip meets our standards or needs. But unless you understand the significance of knowing details about those products or services, the need to know about the work conditions of the product or service providers is typically not a concern.   

     We think it should be and would be if more people learned that men, women, and children are being exploited so businesses can buy products for less money. But unfortunately, the need to lower labor costs drive individuals and some companies to resort to criminal activity such as human trafficking. 

     Victims of this form of human trafficking may be forced, tricked, or coerced into working long hours in poor, unsanitary, and (or) unsafe conditions. In addition, their passport, identification, and other personal property may be taken, withheld, or discarded, making it difficult for the victim to escape, especially if they have been relocated to another country, state, or area. 

     Some human trafficking victims, such as migrant workers, undocumented immigrants, survivors of violence or abuse, etc., may not know they are victims. At some point, a professional can see these victims for health issues, but they will not ask for help. 

     Still, some victims fully understand their situation but do not ask for help because they have suffered traumatic events and no longer trust people or for multiple other reasons.     

     Labor trafficking victims are suffering so consumers can shop and businesses can have higher profits. Sadly, putting gain and material items before human lives happen every day. But when the right people (like you and me/the consumers) begin to question the integrity of this system, business, and people behind products, we can make manufacturers, services, and business owners accountable. 

     Accountability is another key to ending human trafficking. You hold that key whenever you question/ensure the businesses or services you shop at are ethical and operating according to legal standards. We hope education and awareness snowball into action and change. The change to end human trafficking will take effort, consistency, and courage, all of which we can do. 

Businesses- Please operate ethically and legally, confine yourself to ensuring staff is under no duress, being paid fair wages, and working in a healthy and safe environment. As a longtime entrepreneur, I can attest to receiving higher quality service (and products) from staff that had these basic foundations sustained.  

     Have excellent listening and communication skills. When needed, bring in additional support or services such as educators/trained professionals who can guide you and (or) staff on the best ways to ensure safety.  

     Such a professional may assist you by designing a sensible safety protocol or program that best fits your needs, like training, safety learning material, worksheets, workshops, etc. Professionals may also recommend offering employees bonuses like self-defense classes or assistance in further education.   

     Listen to employees, customers, and neighbors who share concerns and feedback. Next, address our concerns progressively because you have the ultimate gain and responsibility to ensure the safety of future workforces and customers. Helping to end human trafficking is more than a logical and strategic business move; it's the right thing to do.   

     The Lanier Law Firm is one example of the power businesses and individuals have in the fight to end human trafficking. With offices in Texas, New York, and Los Angeles, and a diverse team of lawyers, these legal superheroes fight for justice in remarkable ways. Today, they specifically deserve recognition for their role in helping spread awareness about human trafficking.  

     The Lanier Law Firm's website has several informative resources, such as a guide about trucking and human trafficking. Follow the link below to learn about trucking and human trafficking but also keep the Lanier Law Firm's contact information close. If you ever need to find an attorney with integrity and dedication to helping clients, the Lanier Law Firm can be your perfect match.  

Link to The Lanier Law Firm Resource (please read it!): 

https://www.lanierlawfirm.com/trucking-and-human-trafficking/ 

     Thank you, Jacob, from the Lanier Law Firm, for promoting this valuable resource because it set this article in motion. He inspired me to use my voice to continue raising awareness and share their valuable resource on human trafficking, which is why individuals and businesses make change possible. People (you) can inspire others (like me) to act, which makes a change!

2)  Collect Information & Report It  – In this section, we share what information to look for and how to report a known or suspected human trafficking situation. 

     Firstly, in any situation where human trafficking happens, and regardless of how many people are around you, please believe that lives are at stake. For everyone involved, anyone gathering information about a potential victim or perpetrator must be highly discrete. Traffickers do not want to get caught and will do whatever is necessary to prevent others from stopping them. 

     Harming or killing someone is something they are prepared to do, and you must understand this right now. Perpetrators view their victims as property and might flee with them if they suspect someone is on their trail. Worse, they might feel inclined to sell or dispose of victims quickly. 

     Evaluate the situation and trust your instincts when you suspect someone is in danger. Getting professional assistance is vital to prevent further harm from coming to the potential victim or the person trying to help them. 

     Take mental or physical notes if possible without the suspect getting suspicious. Remember license plate numbers and what the vehicle looks like, and try to find something unique about it to make that image stick out in your head, like an obnoxious bumper sticker or ding in the side door. The same goes for people; look for tattoos, birthmarks, etc. 

     The Department of Homeland Security created the "See Something Say Something Campaign" for terrorism-related suspicious activity. The article explains how to report terrorism-related suspicious activity and is not about human trafficking. However, we think a section of it will be handy for people reporting a potential human trafficking (or kidnapping) situation or event.  

     Please note that you should not contact the Department of Homeland Security to report suspected human trafficking activity. Instead, they advise contacting your local law enforcement agency.   In their infographic, they promote an easy way to memorize what information will best help law enforcement when you call to report suspicious terrorism-related suspicious activity, and although it's not a new concept, it's a great tool. 

     The same principle can also be applied when reporting other criminal activity, such as human trafficking.      

     The five W's stand for who, what, when, where, and why; when we use these words as markers, they can help better explain a story, event, or circumstance. The more detail, the better the story or painted picture becomes. A better picture allows cops to see the bad guys quickly, so we want to paint a clear one by telling you exactly what to do when writing down (and while taking mental notes) any potential criminal activity.  

     Immediately write down who and what you saw, when and where it happened (time/day/event), and why you think it's suspicious. Write things down as soon as it is safe to do it. Do not wait for law enforcement or any other distractions from the event. Instead, write everything down in detail while the images are fresh; this can be very helpful for law enforcement and victims. Even little things that seem unrelated at the time can later turn out to be the code to crack a human trafficking organization case wide open. 

     Little things can make all the difference in catching predators and saving victims. It's also possible to learn how to safeguard ourselves from future threats of human trafficking by recognizing and sharing little things like a father from YouTube has recently done. 

     In the video, a father shares his concern over his daughter's safety after noticing a black tie attached to her car door handle. After finding and cutting the plastic tie loose on day three, he asked his daughter what it was. She was clueless, and dad was starting to worry because it was odd, and he felt like something was wrong. So the dad asked his brother, who (he says) works in law enforcement, what he thought about it, and he explained she was being "marked" by a human trafficking organization/group. 

     It's important to note that we have not verified the accuracy of his story, but the moral of it is to be cautious, so that's our suggested takeaway. After all, traffickers are exceeding expectations of tactics for kidnapping, stealing, or taking a person or child. So please recognize signs that tell you something isn't right and protect yourself and your loved ones.   

     Traps such as this happen every day. Traffickers will also walk up to a woman or child and pluck them from the playground, mall, grocery store, or anywhere a person or child is vulnerable. 

     Traffickers may plot, plan, prepare and follow through with new and creative ways to take a person(s), so we must never underestimate what is little because a little tie could mean life or death. Traffickers may also act spontaneously, so we must remain alert. 

     The dad from YouTube is an excellent example of what to do in a potentially life-threatening situation; even if you don't believe him, believe the threat is possible because no trick is too dirty for a human trafficker. 

     We noticed the dad felt something was wrong (recognition), learned what it was (collected information), did something about it (fight it), and told everyone he could how to avoid this trap (share it). 

     FF2C shares the following resources asking you to use them when needed, donate when possible, and remember always to put safety first. 

Resources for Reporting Human Trafficking 

• Call 911 for help if you or someone in your vicinity is in immediate danger or you're witnessing a crime. 

 Report signs and all related information that you collect.  

• Federal law enforcement- Please call if you suspect human trafficking.

 Call: 1(866) 347-2423 

• Blue Campaign- Please visit for education, awareness, and support.   

Email: www.dhs.gov/bluecampaign 

Follow this link to get a copy of a human trafficking indicator card, Indicator Card | Homeland Security (dhs.gov), which provides information like what signs to look for and who to call to report suspicious activity or persons. Cards can be printed in 38 languages and counting as the site continuously updates this information.  

• National Human Trafficking Hotline- Please call if you suspect human trafficking, have further questions, or to donate to this life-changing cause. 

Call: 1(888) 373-7888

Text: "HELP or INFO" to BeFree (233733) 

(TTY) Dial: 711

Or Live Chat via Website:  www.humantraffickinghotline.org  

• The Lanier Law Firm- Please contact when seeking justice, compensation, or more information as they have a wide range of knowledgeable lawyers. 

The Lanier Law Firm has set an excellent example for businesses. They support the fight to end trafficking by having specialty lawyers such as truck accident lawyers who offer free case reviews for truckers and victims of human trafficking. Visit their website to find many informative resources, email questions, or live chat with a representative.   

Call: 1(800) 723-3216

The Lanier Website with Live Chat: www.lanierlawfirm.com   

What happens after you report human trafficking activity? 

Link to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTRC):What to Expect When You Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline | National Human Trafficking Hotline

Please follow the link above to watch the video presentation by NHTRC on what to expect when you call the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

3) Fight It– This section discusses how to fight human trafficking. 

Ensure adequate security measures are present.

     Employers- Ensure parking lot, hallways, entrances/exits, etc., are well lit, especially if on-site security is lax or non-existent.  

     Provide security (if possible) and ensure security systems like cameras can pick up angles like entrances, exits, and parking access. 

     Record anywhere employees frequent and are accessible to a human trafficker looking for an easy target like a cashier on break. Ensure cameras are working and recording all public usage areas and that the recordings are sent to an alternate place besides on the property.  

     Provide training via professional guidance or reading materials on the dos and don'ts related to human trafficking. 

     Provide fair wages to your employees.   

     Know your suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors. It will make a considerable impact when business owners (small and large) start questioning who and how products are made, so ask the right questions.  

     Employees- Remind employers of the risk of not ensuring these safety measures are met and request that better risk management is taken to reduce hazards to you and the customers. 

Self-defense skills, mental perseverance, and physical competence are some attributes that raise survival rates in dangerous situations.   

Females or vulnerable people should learn at least three survival tactics and several tips for escaping dangerous situations/people. Take a self-defense class in person or online, or find a trainer, whatever is most doable for you.  

     Learn how to prepare yourself to respond to a survival situation mentally and physically, meaning be prepared to quickly go from talking to fighting (or running), which is not easy for some people.   

     Still, statistics show the risk is higher for vulnerable people, so if you're physically incapable of defending yourself (by fleeing/running or fighting), consider these tips.  

    Tip #1- Hundreds of personal self-defense weapons or tools are available for online or in-person purchases, many of which are affordable and need minimal human physical effort. Remember to use any product, weapon, or tool following manufacturers' directions and safety protocols. Learn and follow laws according to age, criminal background, and self-defense weapons.   

    Tip #2- Practice using your weapon or tool because during a traumatic event, relying on training/experience can help reduce human or technical error and reinforce the memory, so during an emergency, that memory encourages the individual to act (or respond) to danger rather than freezing from not knowing what to do.    

    Tip #3- Maintain security systems at home and in your vehicle. Take precautions when traveling alone because being vulnerable is one thing most victims have in common. 

     Tip #4- Always check your surroundings for potentially dangerous people or situations. 

     Tip #5- Evaluate risk factors and put safety first by trusting your instincts and calling law enforcement to report suspicious activity. 

Survival Reading

Read books about survivors to get a better understanding of the risk that women and children face and remember that at the base of survivors' stories is the fact that survival is possible.  

     If you find yourself in a possible human trafficking circumstance like a boyfriend turned pimp or a potential kidnapping situation, please remember stories of bravery and survival; pull strength from other survivors, fight or flee, and get to safety. 

     Remember the five W's, get somewhere safe and write down every detail, even the little things.    

Review social inequalities that promote misguided actions. 

A person's disposition in society can change with one lottery ticket. But unfortunately, human beings have become known as lottery tickets that you can repeatedly sell, making human trafficking a problem worthy of everyone's money, time, and energy if we want to counter it successfully. 

     Poverty levels and misguided mindsets promote aspects that help desperate people feel more inclined to take measures that can lead them to become human traffickers, but this doesn't have to happen. Teaching kids early on that money is never as valuable as life and how to make it through life with or without a lot of money will help them begin to break attachments to it, and kids can grow up placing value back where value belongs, on life. Social media influences young and older minds, so please share messages advocating life and love over money.   

     We can help by teaching the youth diverse ways to become financially stable, which may help stop someone from traveling down this path or turn away from it once they find themselves heading towards trouble.  

     Educate youth on the consequences of participating in activities that endanger others, such as jail sentences and the after cost.    

Support Victims & Survivors

Learn about different community action centers and supportive services like women's and children's shelters that desperately need your support, and then help them out as much as possible. 

Donate 

Organizations like Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) desperately need your support to continue educating and equipping the trucking, bus, and energy industries/businesses. 

     Visit  www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org for more information and to support this 501(c) 3 because when you support TAT, you help disrupt human trafficking.      

     Please donate to organizations, charities, and other partners against human trafficking because every contribution signals unity and brings support, education, and empowerment to people who most need it! 

Create Safe Spaces

A safe space can be anywhere people can speak, listen, or share information that may be personal, painful, or traumatic; privacy and respect are keys to a successful, safe space.  

     Provide support for survivors of human trafficking by creating safe spaces online. Counter stigmas related to mental health, prostitution, drug or alcohol problems, and educate others on the fundamentals of prevention and survival in traumatic situations.   

     Create a safe space in your home and encourage open dialog with minors who may be susceptible to tricky on or offline predators. Speak to a professional or loved one for more help if an open dialogue is hard to achieve in your household.

4) Awareness (Provide or Promote Helpful Information) – We ask you a huge favor in this section.

Please pick up where businesses like The Lanier Law Firm have left off. Continue to create guides, articles, or other related content about human trafficking because this affects all of us; therefore, we must fight together to stop it and help all who survived it. 

     There are many ways we can step up and fight against human trafficking, but you might have the one that can make the most impact. So be brave when the purpose is calling you to create and go forth, knowing you have the power to help someone more than you think. Here are a few ways people can create and share information.  

• Provide resources on your social media outlets or at work that encourage victims to seek help. Please share information to help citizens and groups see, recognize, and report suspicious activity, giving us a better chance of stopping human trafficking. 
• Post flyers, brochures, or booklets with resources like websites, phone numbers, and other helpful information if possible. 
• Let's create social media challenges asking businesses like gas stations, nail shops, and motels to be more active and post their contributions to ending human trafficking. 
• Start a hashtag about businesses that are disguising resources in creative ways like on tampon boxes because that is one item perpetrators won't inspect for information, whereas a woman reading the box might find lifesaving information or inspiration.

The same goes for cereal boxes for kids with cartoons showing them how to call 911 if someone hurts them. I don't know about you, but I would go out of my way to support a specific business that discreetly uses clever ways to advertise information, like the human trafficking hotline number. 

     If we all begin to use the genius of advertisement, it's possible to mask information in a free product. Hence, victims are more likely to see it before the perpetrators get wind of what society is trying to do to stop them from hurting more people. Actions like these can help victims or hopefully change the heart of one of the perpetrators because that is possible when you fight with hope's sword.  

• Create/Start a non-profit for people or kids at risk of becoming a perpetrator or a victim due to circumstances like homelessness or abuse. Many homeless kids resort to drastic measures because they believe they have nowhere to go that's any better. The world is full of better; someone just has to show them, and that someone might be you.  

In conclusion, FF2C asks that we all work together to break stigmas related to mental health, sexual abuse, assault, violence, and being financially unstable. 

     Many of these issues lead to people becoming perpetrators or victims trapped in vicious cycles. To end human trafficking, we must deter people from both paths by creating stronger communities built with trust. 

     Trust that helping others is how we save ourselves and those we love because we think it very well could be.   

     If we work together to make small contributions like the ones shared in this article, we will make an impact. 

     Actions like speaking up when things don't feel right, building strong and healthy communities, and educating ourselves and those around us will make progress inevitable. 

     Human trafficking is a significant problem worldwide, but we must ask what is at the root of it to end it once and for all. That question has answers we may find unbearable or too tricky to fix, but you must believe we can fix anything with love and guidance because that is the only truth that must prevail, so it's the only one we should repeat.