Schools and Human Trafficking: Response and Protocol

If we know students are at-risk of human trafficking and exploitation, then what are schools doing to respond? Schools, teachers, professors, administrators, school nurses, bus drivers, SROs, custodial staff, coaches, advisors, and more are uniquely and strategically positioned to engage. University staff and educators regularly interact with students, notice when they are not present, and are aware of behavioral and …

Is My Student At-Risk?

Human trafficking is everywhere, including schools. The very idea seems unimaginable. And yet, whether a school is in an urban, suburban, or rural community, students may be at risk of human trafficking and exploitation. Any minor who is recruited for the purpose of commercial sex is a victim of human trafficking. Federal law does not require force, fraud, or coercion. …

Do You Know What Human Trafficking Looks Like?

When people first learn about human trafficking, they learn the legal definitions of labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and sometimes organ trafficking. While this is important and foundational, knowing how human trafficking manifests is equally as important. Sex trafficking and labor trafficking can happen to men, women, and children, regardless of age. But knowing the definition is just the beginning – …

Eyes In The Air and On The Ground

Human trafficking is a crime that often involves travel. This may be by car, train, bus, or taxi, but it can also occur by air travel. Travel may be between countries, though it is often within a victim’s own country, between states, or between cities within a state. Air travel can be used in recruitment tactics, such as when a …

What Do You Know About Foster Care and What You Can Do?

May is National Foster Care Month, with an annual presidential proclamation dating back to President Reagan in 1988. Currently, there are over 440,000 children and youth in foster care. This month is a time to recognize everyone that helps families and youth with permanent homes and connections, including foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, child welfare professionals, and community members …

Businesses That Bring Freedom

As you are thinking of your holiday gift list and reflecting on your purchases from last year, you might be wondering, what if there is a way to purchase products that help people and not harm them?  What if there is a way to ensure the products you buy come from someone who receives fair wages?  What if you knew …

National Adoption Month

As of October of 2017, there were over 117,000 children in foster care waiting to be adopted and only 4,714 intercountry adoptions to the U.S. People may not know what they have to offer when it comes to adoption, but there is something EVERYONE can do.  November is National Adoption Month, and a time when community members, professionals, parents, and …

FAQ: What is My Role in This Effort? (Not Just Hypothetically)  

human trafficking

If you’ve been in the anti-trafficking movement for even a short time, you’ve probably seen this question before: What can one person actually do to make a difference in the fight against human trafficking? Hundreds of amazing organizations serving in the field have thousands of answers to this question. (If you’re new to the issue of human trafficking, start with our Human Trafficking 101 series to get caught up.) But honestly? A …

Knowledge is Power

Learning IS doing something. As the saying goes, “Knowledge is power!” In order to prevent human trafficking from ever happening in the first place, we must be aware that it exists. We must also continually learn about the many changing facets and causes of this evil crime. But perhaps, most important after learning about the issue, is understanding what is already …

Human Trafficking 101: Who are the Victims?

Crowded Train

We are working through our Human Trafficking 101 blog series, and this is part three. If you missed the first two posts in this series, make sure to go back and read part one, Uncovering Myths and Intricacies and part two, Human Trafficking Happens Everywhere. And now, for the rest of the story: Where does it all begin for a human trafficking victim? The …