Sadly, human trafficking is still real in our world and has no place for it. Here is an alarming stat: There are an estimate of between 20 million and 40 million people in modern slavery today internationally. Retrieving the real numbers affected of human trafficking is difficult because so many cases often go undetected, something the United Nations refers to as “the hidden figure of crime.”
We can all come to an agreement that we must come together and join in the prevention and fight of modern slavery. There are nonprofits, government entities, NGOs and social good businesses who have pledged to fight and end this appalling truth. Supporting them supports the fight.
One of the leaders in this fight is the International Justice Mission (IJM) , a global organization partnering with local justice systems to end violence against people living in poverty.
Their founder Gary Haugen said, “Nothing happens just because we are aware of modern day slavery, but nothing will ever happen until we are.”
Spreading the awareness that this is real in today’s world and happens in our backyard is the foundation of making change.
The U.S. Department of State has published 20 Ways You Can Help Fight in Human Trafficking found here. They mention several action steps including having the National Human Trafficking Hotline number accessible which is 1 (888) 373-7888.
Social good businesses can also help in several ways. They either:
- Give back to nonprofits that help in the fight of human trafficking.
- Employ the victims of human trafficking giving them hope and means to support themselves.
- Educate the public about human trafficking prevention, causes and the like.
- They do all of the above!
Supporting social good businesses also supports this dynamic and complex issue.
We are in this together.