Grassroots Activism
Everyone has a place in the anti-trafficking movement. To find your outlet for activism and ways in which you contribute to a safer environment in which trafficking does not exist, see some suggestions from our team below to spark some ideas.
1. Learn.
Check out other great organizations working on anti-human trafficking in your area. For a basic list, you can start here. You can also consult our basic list of resources to learn more about the issue of human trafficking.
2. Inform.
Staff a booth at a local event (festivals, campus activities). Go to a downtown location (fair, park, etc.) and design t-shirts on the spot with human trafficking info. Create a YouTube video about human trafficking; spread the word about human trafficking and LCHT on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Urge others to learn more/ get involved in the issue. Include LCHT and human trafficking information in announcements, invitations, or thank you cards to friends/family.
3.Support.
Give time or money to anti-trafficking efforts. Organize fundraising events to support local organizations. Contact organizations, shelters, and outreach workers for a list of needed items.
4. Advocate.
Write your state representatives to advocate for stronger state laws relating to human trafficking. Encourage law enforcement, health care and other social service providers to get more involved in the issue.
5. Document.
Create a blog about what you're learning about human trafficking, including your sources and resources (so others can read the articles too). Create a YouTube video about what you have learned about human trafficking and local efforts to combat it.
6. View and dialogue.
Host a showing of a human trafficking film and facilitate a discussion following the film (i.e., Very Young Girls or Call+Response).
7. Join.
Visit, tour, and join your local anti-trafficking organization(s) and send your friends/family an e-mail about what you learned.
8. Educate.
Invite LCHT to speak in your community.
9. Investigate.
Ask questions of your local law enforcement, health care and other social service providers about their current efforts to combat human trafficking.
10. Consume wisely.
Know where your food comes from. Buy sweatshop-free clothing and fair trade items. Share your resources to inform others about how to be conscious consumers. Participate in consumer advocacy groups; advocate for standards relating to the term “organic.” Visit cool resources like Social Accountability International, TransFair USA, Global Witness.org, GlobalTradeWatch, and the Department of Labor's list of products made by child labor/forced labor.