Why Human Trafficking Awareness IS Important
The common thread that ties all of us to human trafficking are the stories of people exploited by others without regard for their inherent humanity. When I started working for United Against Human Trafficking these stories sounded like fiction, as if this reality was too stark and painful to comprehend. Sadly, these stories are far too common and entirely nonfiction. The natural reaction of many, is to seek ways to help the victims and hold those who have been let down by society. The desire to bring a victim of human trafficking to safety is not uncommon. But, when placed in such a situation, face to face with an actual victim without training and resources, good intention does nothing for those in danger. This is not to say that individuals cannot make a difference, it is to make clear that our role as good community members doesn’t have to be direct service. It is a frustrating reality, but we want our volunteers and supporters not to be discouraged, but to seek ways that they can be invaluable in the fight. Our role belongs in awareness. Our mission lies in the question; what if these crimes never happened?
A utopic thought, I know, but a world we strive for at UAHT. Modern-day slaves are not hidden in some faraway tunnel, but in broad daylight in a well-known public areas and in your neighborhood. Forced labor is predictable and can be detected if you know what to look for. You may encounter victims in a neighbor’s nanny, your nail technician, a favorite local restaurant- the opportunities for exploitation are endless. This is an unsettling thought however, there is hope. By teaching community members to identify red flags and outlining steps for reporting the crime, we put thousands of trained eyes on these perpetrators. With training doctors, nurses, firefighters, policemen and other frontline professionals can properly identify human trafficking within our streets, hospitals and schools; becoming an instant task force against trafficking. Through teaching at risk youth how to protect themselves and others from the dangers of a trafficker we create a more informed Houston.
We believe in the power of knowledge. We are committed to the ideal that an informed public ends the demand. We utilize awareness as our strongest tool because stopping a crime before it happens saves lives.
Posted by on 5 Jan 2016