Everyone can indeed be a force for good. Upon careful consideration, you’ll realize that you can do one or more things to support the work of frontline officers and volunteers in the fight against Child Sex Trafficking. Besides, this is a pandemic issue that affects almost all local communities. The abuse of children could take the form of involuntary domestic servitude, forced labor, or child labor, etc., but in the end, most trafficked children end up being used by pimps as money-spinning machines.
To be honest, successfully combating or suppressing the growth and perpetuation of sex trafficking in our communities requires a concerted effort — not just from the government and NGOs, but even much more from everyone, including the neighbor suspecting a child trafficking situation happening across the street.
By simply reporting such cases to authorities like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), you may be saving a child — and possibly rescuing many more children from victimization. To join the fight against child sex trafficking right from your local community, here are ways by which you can help.
Keep Learning about the Issue
A good way to get involved is to stay updated on current happenings. Here at Mission Haven, research is key to what we do. We are constantly learning about the issue of child sex trafficking in the U.S. and across the world. We learn of ways by which traffickers recruit children, the most at-risk populations, and how best to assist survivors. You, too, can help by learning more and staying tuned to recent and existing legislation on sex trafficking of kids. Additionally, you can stay updated on the Trafficking in Persons Report each year, as this presents a global overview and detail on the problem.
Share What You Learn
Silence allows violence to spread. In essence, learning is actually not enough. You can be an advocate among your peers and colleagues. The more people know about the issue and seek help, the less vulnerable children there are. Besides teaching your own kids how to identify predators and seek help, it would be best to share what you learn with your social and secular network. We believe that the first and most effective solution is to make as many people as possible aware of the scope of the problem.
Report Trafficking Cases Near You
If you see something, please say something. If you notice anything suggestive of a trafficking situation going on near you, you need to speak up. You can report suspected child sex trafficking cases to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. You can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Alternatively, you can call 911 and use the CyberTipline to report child sexual exploitation online. These channels are all available 24/7 to take reports of potential human trafficking.
Listen to Survivors
Our work at the Mission Haven is particularly focused on survivors of child sex trafficking. We learn a lot from listening to these girls. The insights we glean from listening to them share their experiences go a long way to help us understand the scope of the problem, including the vulnerabilities that traffickers often exploit to recruit children. The FBI reports that thousands of children are forced into child prostitution and involuntary servitude every year.
However, learning the stats is hardly enough; We need to act on them. Three ways you can act on what you learn are:
Sharing the information to educate others
Joining a local organization at the frontlines, or
Donating to that organization
Join a Local Organization
There are several ways that the public can help local organizations fighting sex trafficking of children. You may be hiring and could offer a job to a survivor. You could also help to train survivors looking to learn a skill that will help them start a new life. Other ways include offering a free service, donating money, and giving other essential materials, such as medical, sanitary, and domestic supplies, to the organization. You could be helping them tick off a lot of items on their to-do list.
About the Mission Haven
The Mission Haven focuses on providing a comprehensive and transformational Haven of Healing to victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. We believe that every single DMST survivor still has a chance at life at its best, and we need every support we can get to provide the pillar of support that they need continually.
Our goal at The Mission Haven is to provide them with all the support they need to start over. With your generous donations and support, we can continue to provide a truly safe haven of hope and healing equipped with essential resources to lift victims and survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking. To give, volunteer, or become a partner, feel free to contact us today.