Written By: SOS International
Abolitionists have played critical roles in the fight against slavery throughout history. Today, we face the challenge of modern-day slavery in the form of human trafficking. Trafficking occurs in virtually every country in the world, meaning that ending it will require people from all over the world. We need modern-day abolitionists. The call to be an abolitionist is for all of us. Here are some practical ways you can be a modern-day abolitionist.
Awareness & Action
We all have a choice: to be distant from the reality of trafficking or to engage, learn more, and use our influence. By understanding the factors that lead to trafficking and hearing the stories of survivors, you keep your heart and mind open, being willing to embrace the tension.
A powerful tool in the fight against trafficking is teaching children about online safety and guiding them to recognize and respond to suspicious activities like grooming. By educating children about the signs of trafficking, you help keep them and their peers safe, making a significant impact!
Use your influence
The best place to be an abolitionist is where you already are – where you have influence. Think about the people you lead in your business or workplace, or the groups you are involved in within your community. These are great places to build awareness around trafficking.
Even using your social media platform, no matter its size, can be a powerful tool for raising awareness. Sharing your heart for freedom and sharing reputable posts from trafficking organizations is a great way to share with others the realities of trafficking. It creates more awareness and invites others to join in the fight with you.
Being a Safe Space
Being a safe space means being quick to listen and slow to react, fostering an open sense of communication. Often, trafficking victims do not speak up because they don’t feel they have a safe person to confide in. Traffickers try to silence and isolate their victims through shame.
Safe spaces are essential to the fight against trafficking. You can be a place where shame cannot keep victims from asking for help. In a world where exploitation can happen anywhere, predominantly online and on social media, being a safe person for your friends, family, and neighbors is a needed role in the fight against trafficking.
Empowering Transformation
Every outreach we do is only made possible through your partnership. You are helping to implement trafficking prevention through food distribution and clean water projects. You are providing beds for survivors to find healing and offering them essential aftercare and education. Additionally, you are empowering community transformation with grassroots solutions, including mentorship, vocational training, and infrastructure development.
These are just a few of the impactful initiatives that you are helping carry out today. You are helping to create long-term, sustainable solutions that protect entire communities from human trafficking.
Being a modern-day abolitionist doesn’t have to be complicated. To put trafficking to an end, we need people in all spheres of influence, meaning everyone has a place in the fight! To find your place, you just need to start where your feet are at.
