Human Trafficking: Education and Raising Awareness

This is an issue that affects every community which is why education and awareness surrounding this issue are a must. Human trafficking is the recruitment or harbouring of a person using threats or the use of force. Victims are also often recruited by coercion, abduction, or fraud. Abuse of power by a person of vulnerability is another way a person can become a victim of human trafficking. Victims include children, women, and men. Victims can be any type of person or any age or background although traffickers target those in vulnerable populations.
Human trafficking is a global issue that occurs in most countries. Most of the victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation and another high percentage of victims are exploited for forced labor. Most targets of human trafficking are female, many of them young girls. Children are often victims of human trafficking and the number of boys among these victims has increased over the past few years.
The COVID-19 pandemic left many people more vulnerable than ever which increased the risk of trafficking. High levels of uncertainty and major job loss created new opportunities for criminals to prey on those who were desperate. Unfortunately, lockdowns and limitations on antitrafficking services left victims more vulnerable by limiting their means of rescue or escape. Traffickers also target victims on different social media platforms which has led to an increase of children targeted for human trafficking.
How to Prevent this Crime
Education is key in preventing these crimes. Raising awareness is equally as important. This information will help identify and support at-risk communities. We all have a responsibility to learn to recognize signs of trafficking. Body language is something to consider because many victims of human trafficking are monitored by another person while talking or interacting with others. Victims are also often tense or scared and defer to another person when speaking or answering questions.
Living conditions characterized by cramped spaces or a space maintained by their employer can be another indication of human trafficking.
Building awareness through education is one of the biggest ways to stop individuals from becoming victims of human trafficking. If you come across a situation that feels suspicious, speak up. There are human trafficking hotlines you can contact to report suspicious activity surrounding potential human trafficking.

Conclusion
Are you interested in human trafficking education? Collaborative Community Solutions offers consulting, public speaking, and training services. We provide the education necessary to identify human trafficking and intervene. We can speak to a variety of audiences regarding human trafficking and our services can help build programs that meet the unique needs of human trafficking survivors.
Contact us today to learn more .