31 Ways to Help Prevent Human Trafficking
Ever felt helpless in the fight against human trafficking? For the 31 days of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we have complied 31 proven ways you can help prevent human trafficking. As NCPTF works tirelessly to assist case workers and bring victims out of exploitation we ask citizens to complete at least one of these actions to help us in the fight. We understand the power of crowd sourcing, as we use it every day to bring together seasoned prosecutors, officers, detectives, analysts and OSINT specialists to turn the tide of this war on human lives. You are a part of that pact. Thank you for your effort and strength in the fight to prevent human trafficking.
1) Share a missing person(s) poster
You can search or share any missing person posters you come across at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Remember to take down your shared post if the person has been found. This will help protect their privacy in the future.
2) Learn how to spot the signs of sexual exploitation
Up-to-date education is vital to spot signs. Thank you to those who support education-focused non-profits in their continuous effort to building awareness. You can start learning by visiting our Tools for Education page.
3) Share up-to-date education on trafficking prevention
Find a great book, article or podcast on human trafficking prevention? Share it! Peer-to-peer discussion can lead to longer lasting awareness. You can follow us on social to easily find posts to share with your friends and community.
4) Read a book on trafficking prevention
From first-hand accounts to scholarly , there are many books that expand on the realities of human trafficking. UNICEF has a list of books as well as films. Find out if your local library or community has recommendations or even a book club.
5) Subscribe to a podcast or Youtube channel focused on trafficking prevention
The more views, the more they can create content. The non-profit Christie's Cause has a podcast web series that interviews those on the front lines of trafficking prevention.
6) Participate in #WearBlueDay for Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Jan 11
You can find more about the campaign here.
7) Support a for-profit business that aids or assists in trafficking prevention
8) Report a trafficking tip to the FBI
You can report a tip directly here.
9) Share trafficking tip lines and hotlines
A list of hotlines can be found here.
10) Download the TraffickCam app to send hotel images that can aid investigations
The app is available in the Apple App Store as well as Google Play. You can also use their desktop version here.
11) Download the FBI Child ID app to securely store your child's most recent photos for responders to locate quicker in an emergency
The app is available in the Apple App Store as well as Google Play. You can download and learn more about it here.
12) Be alert during AMBER alerts
AMBER alerts work. As of May 2020, 988 children have been rescued specifically because of AMBER Alert. View active amber alerts here.
13) Learn ways to protect you and your family from online predators
There are small steps anyone can take. One example being not to use hashtags with child photos since that automatically will publicize the photo and make it easier for perpetrators to find your child. There are many other best practices online including implementing end-to-end encryption, knowing the hotlines and using the resources available. Above all, we need to keep an open dialogue with our children and young family members to make sure their questions are answered and needs are met.
14) Create a family safety plan of prevention and protection against trafficking
No matter the age, there are best practices to protect your children and family members.
15) Attend a webinar focused on trafficking prevention
16) Share what you have learned from a trafficking prevention webinar or podcast
17) Attend long term trafficking prevention training
There are many courses that count as credit towards social working, law enforcement and analyst careers.
18) Ask your neighborhood watch if they have a strategy to prevent human trafficking
This includes labor trafficking and sex trafficking. Learn more here.
19) Request local and state groups to invest more resources in preventing trafficking
20) Find out if your local officers have access to innovative training to prevent trafficking and rescue trafficking victims
21) Find out how much your county and/or state invests in human trafficking prevention and rescue
22) Contact your representative to request more resources for human trafficking prevention
You can search for your representatives here.
23) Request more trafficking stories from your local newspaper
24) Find out if your local schools have a trafficking prevention plan
25) Volunteer as an advocate at a non-profit to share awareness
26) Volunteer as a case worker at a non-profit to assist in missing person cases
27) Help find missing people by taking time to learn OSINT
Our partner in training, Trace Labs, has free events to teach those ready to help find missing people. You can view our 2020 conINT event recordings here to see a taste of the education.
28) Donate your story to a non-profit
Your story can help save lives. You can find a list of reputable non-profits here or directly contact us here.
29) Volunteer your writing, designing or coding skills to a non-profit focused in trafficking prevention
30) Donate directly to a trafficking prevention non-profit
31) Create a donation campaign for a trafficking prevention non-profit
Thank you for your interest in helping prevent human trafficking. Like what we do? You can help us by donating to our 31 Days 31 Ways Fundraiser on GoFundMe Charity and/or act on the other 30 ways of prevention.