How Many Slaves Work For You? – Unicef End Trafficking

As part of the Global Team of 200, I am committed to blogging at least twice a month about programs that benefit mothers and children worldwide.  This month, one of the projects I was asked to blog about is the U.S. Fund for Unicef End Trafficking project.

Did you know that human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states in the U.S.?  Trafficking rates are particularly high in California, Texas, Florida, and New York. force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation. This horrific practice can include prostitution, forced labor and more.

Human trafficking has been likened to modern-day slavery and subjects children, women, and men to pornography, and sex tourism as well as domestic servitude, factory work, and migrant farming. Human trafficking is not the same as smuggling; it does not require movement across borders.

I visited the Slavery Footprint website, put in some basic information about my family’s lifestyle, and this is my result:

What??  I have 47 slaves working for me?  In my little 1000 sq. foot house?

Take the quiz and leave a comment – how many slaves are working for you?

But how can we reduce our need for slave labor and help Unicef end trafficking?

•  Post the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-
  3737-888, around your neighborhood, school, or work place.
  The hotline handles calls from anyone, including witnesses,
  potential victims, service providers, community members,
  and people hoping to learn more. It is toll free, and can be
  reached anywhere in the U.S., 24 hours a day, 365 days a
  year. You can download a flyer for free at http://polarisproject.
  org/resources/outreach-and-awareness-materials or
  make your own. Please ask permission before posting flyers
  in coffee shops, restaurants, business locations, etc.
• Reach out and influence the life of a young girl
  or boy in your community by volunteering as a tutor or
  mentor. Get connected to an organization near you at
  mentoring.org.
• Support policies that protect victims of trafficking.
  Ask your senator to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims
  Protection Reauthorization Act (S. 1301). Visit volunteers.
  unicefusa.org/advocate for a sample letter.
• Change the conversation by working within your
  social circles. A “pimp” is not a cool guy, but someone
  who abuses and exploits women. A “prostitute” is often
  a victim of sexual exploitation. Help your friends rethink
  their choice of language.
• Switch to Fair Trade brands, and/or host a Fair
  Trade Party. Fair Trade-certified products are produced
  without slave or child labor. Profits from Fair Trade products
  support farmers and laborers involved in production
  and ensure that they are paid fairly and work under safe
  conditions. To learn more, visit fairtradeusa.org.

So now that you know, what will you do?  How will you help Unicef end trafficking?

Follow on Twitter: @EndTraffick @Unicef (use the hashtag #EndTrafficking)

Follow on Facebook