Resurgence » Ethics Counseling Sexual Assault Human Trafficking Suffering

President Barack Obama has declared January 2013 to be the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

To bring awareness to the injustices of human trafficking and sexual assault and help equip Christian leaders and churches in making a difference, we wanted to provide 14 things you can do today to fight human trafficking and help victims. Whatever you do, shine a light on these dark injustices and be a voice on behalf of those who cannot be heard.

1. Be informed

Being informed is the pavement you walk on. Get informed and be aware of the prevalence of the sex trade in your hometown, state, country, and world. You can find a comprehensive reading list on human trafficking on Resurgence.

2. Be prepared

Did you know that one in four women and one in six men are or will be victims of sexual assault? Prepare yourself to recognize the signs and lovingly help those who are victims.

3. Share the gospel

Share the gospel with victims: Hope and healing are found solely in the person and work of Jesus Christ. If you’re not sure how to do this, we highly recommend reading Justin Holcomb’s Rid of My Disgrace.

4. Report it

If you believe you have witnessed human trafficking, or have been a victim, you can report a tip over the phone or online to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC).

5. Spread the word

Inform your family and friends about the pervasiveness of human trafficking. Bring awareness through your social media. Unfortunately, the upcoming Super Bowl is a time you can highlight the prevalence of human trafficking. Whatever you do, shine a light on these dark injustices and be a voice on behalf of those who cannot be heard.

6. Join or start a school club

Multiply your efforts by joining with others on your campus. Together you can create a larger platform to help create awareness and make a difference in your community.

7. Lean on others

Don’t feel like you have to know all of the answers. There are a ton of resources available online. You can create awareness by simply inviting people over to watch a video, listen to an audio message, or just read the articles and discuss them afterward.

8. Be a careful consumer

Did you know that you might be inadvertently supporting human trafficking with what you buy? Learn to be a careful consumer by learning more about your favorite brands and how they relate to human trafficking.

9. Support organizations

There are a number of great organizations that are currently fighting human trafficking and providing hope and healing for victims: a) REST; b) International Justice Mission; c) Love146; d) Not For Sale; e) Unearthed Pictures; f) Abolition International.

10. Get involved

You can get involved through your church or a local anti-human trafficking group.

11. Fundraise

Raise financial support for organizations by hosting a fundraiser. Consider having a garage or yard sale, or a sell some things online. Whatever you earn, donate it to one of the anti-human trafficking organizations listed above.

12. Contact your local and state representatives

With a call from your phone, a letter sent through the snail mail, or email, you can simply contact your state and congressional representatives to express your concern about human trafficking. During this time you can even ask them if they have any plans to help combat it.

13. Write an op-ed for your school or local paper

If you like to write, you can write an op-ed for you school or local paper to bring awareness to human trafficking.

14. Encourage your church

Is your church currently taking action? If not, schedule some time with the leaders of your church to help bring awareness to human trafficking and lead them to action. If this is the case and you have a desire to make a difference, perhaps you are being called by God to spearhead these efforts? It’s something to pray about—at the very least.

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