Action Steps
Share The Twelve Thousand
Share The Twelve Thousand film with your friends and family. Start conversations about the issue of human trafficking and discuss what role you can play in prevention.
Human trafficking is an overwhelming issue, but we can make a big difference together when we all take small action steps. Below are a few ways you can help prevent human trafficking and provide support to survivors.
Become a Mentor to a Young Person
Traffickers often target people who are emotionally vulnerable, going through a tough time or don't have a strong support system around them. As a mentor, you can have a positive impact on someone’s life during their formative years. Consider volunteering with a community-based mentorship program like Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Know the Signs and Report
Family and friends play a crucial role in preventing trafficking and supporting victims/survivors. Become familiar with the signs of trafficking and stay alert to potential trafficking scenarios.
To Report Human Trafficking
Canada
United States
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
Never attempt to confront a suspected trafficker or alert a victim to your suspicions, as it could potentially put the victim in greater danger.
Donate
Give to charities like Ally Global Foundation that focus on preventing human trafficking prevention providing long-term aftercare for survivors.
Consider becoming a monthly donor through The Refuge. Many of us subscribe to monthly services—whether it’s music or movies, the gym or a wine club—why not be intentional with your generosity in the same way? The average length of recovery for trafficking survivors is about 10 years. This kind of long-term care is ongoing, so it requires ongoing support.
Your monthly support can help prevent human trafficking and provide survivors with long-term care, so that they can build healthy, independent futures.
Learn more about human trafficking by reading through the appendix content that accompanies The Twelve Thousand discussion guide (COMING SOON).
More Ideas
Follow a few anti-trafficking organizations on Instagram:
Attend an online course, training program or workshop:
Not in My City: Free 30min online course
B.C.'s Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons: Free online course
OnWatch Training: Free self-guided course
Speak Out: Resources focused on the risks to Indigenous women and youth
Polaris Human Trafficking 101: Free interactive training
tco2: Workshop for youth
Helping Trafficked Persons: Free online training
Organize a fundraiser and donate the proceeds to an anti-trafficking organization like Ally Global Foundation.
Invite your workplace. Many companies offer a matching charitable gift program for employee donations. Does yours? If not, ask your employer if they’d be open to starting one.
Research organizations in your city/community that are working to combat human trafficking and become a regular donor to support their work.
Look for opportunities to volunteer and donate your time to support anti-trafficking efforts in your community.
Schools can download and display poster from the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline around campus.
Write to your local, provincial and federal elected officials to let them know you care about combating human trafficking and ask what they are doing to address it.
Encourage educators in your local school district to include human trafficking in their curriculum and to develop protocols for identifying and reporting a suspected case of human trafficking or responding to a potential victim.
Educators:
Invite a local organization that specializes in anti-trafficking education to talk to students and staff at your school.
Parents and Caregivers:
Learn how human traffickers often target and recruit youth and who you can turn to for help in a potentially dangerous situation. Host community conversations with parent-teacher associations, law enforcement, schools, and community members regarding safeguarding children in your community.
Youth:
Learn how to recognize traffickers’ recruitment tactics, how to safely navigate out of suspicious or uncomfortable situations and how to reach out for help at any time.
University and College Students:
Take action on your campus. Join or establish a club to raise awareness about human trafficking and initiate action throughout your local community. Consider doing one of your research papers about human trafficking.
(Note: Some of these ideas were taken from the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.)