Knowledge is Power – Fall 2018

The fall can symbolize many aspects of life — the time for a new season, going back to school, or a time to harvest. As you reflect and think about what fall means to you, we have compiled some resources for your review. Take a moment to see how they may apply to what you already know or how you can learn from them!


Fair Trade Month | Celebrate Fair Trade Month in October! Learn what Fair Trade is and why it is important. Find what stores in your area sell Fair Trade, what products to look for, and even where Fair Trade Communities exist. Did you know Fair Trade can also be incorporated into your Halloween candy purchases or into the lunches prepared for students? Being a responsible consumer helps to bring fair wages to local farmers and workers that harvest the foods we eat.


Pro Bono Week | October 21-27 is Pro Bono Week. The American Bar Association celebrates with events around the country to recognize the work of attorneys and allow for new connections. Human trafficking survivors have many needs, some immediate and some long-term. Consider how you can offer legal, medical, dental, educational, or therapeutic services to a survivor.


Cyber Awareness Month | October is Cyber Awareness Month. While it is important to know how to keep your information safe, it is also important to know how to keep your kids safe online. Netsmartz offers resources and media, ranging in content from elementary to teen, that you can share with your child.


Trafficking in America’s Schools | As students return to school, does your staff have a protocol in place for reporting suspected human trafficking cases? The Department of Education has released Trafficking in America’s Schools that helps staff and officials understand how human trafficking impacts schools, know what the indicator signs are, and develop the policies and procedures to respond.


Domestic Violence Awareness Month | October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Did you know there can be an overlap between domestic violence cases and human trafficking cases? Sex and labor trafficking cases can initially appear as domestic violence cases, which is why training and screening questions are so critical. Domestic violence centers are uniquely positioned to offer services, as they may be the initial point of contact for a survivor.