Human Trafficking is the massive worldwide problem that crosses borders and with very few countries immune to human trafficking. Thousands of men, women and children are trapped in some form of modern-day slavery and end up in the hands of traffickers every year.
These people are often tricked and mislead to believe that they are being taken to work that will make their family better off. The victims are then forced into slavery as sex workers, beggars and child soldiers, or as domestic workers, factory workers and laborers in manufacturing, construction, mining, commercial fishing and other industries.
Once people are caught in this network, they lose their rights, identity are misused and abused. There are many ways that people get caught up in trafficking and it is a global problem. Human trafficking has become an industry with wide range of networks that earns profits of roughly $150 billion (As stated in ILO reports) a year for traffickers.
A global problem like trafficking needs a global solution and therefore, it’s time for government agencies, civil societies and NGOs to raise awareness, coordinate their efforts to fight against the devastating issue and to promote the protection of people’s basic human rights.
Therefore, every year, World Day against Trafficking in Persons is held on July 30th to raise awareness, encourage vigilance and gain support for prevention of human trafficking. This year, UNODC is focusing on highlighting the importance of Government action in the interest of victims of trafficking. But the call to action is not only to Governments, they encourage everyone to take action to prevent this heinous crime.
Victims Voices
On this World Day against Trafficking in Persons, we will enlighten you with some of the stories from those trafficked individuals who have been helped.
Please click on the images to read the stories:
Top 10 Solutions to Human Trafficking
People all over the world are victims of human trafficking. As it is a widespread issue with varying levels, it becomes increasingly challenging to address it with a single set of laws or policies. Some of the solutions for this problem are presented below.
- Fundraising: Holding a fundraiser and donating the money raised to one of the countless organizations that help to fight human trafficking not only gives money to the cause but also brings awareness to the issue. Most organizations working to fight human trafficking are nonprofit organizations that rely on donations. Holding fundraisers helps maintain these nonprofits.
- Volunteer: Volunteering time and effort to an anti-trafficking organization is a great way to contribute to the fight against human trafficking. In addition to helping the organization itself, the more volunteers there are, the greater the outreach can be. For example, Unseen is a nonprofit organization that helps victims of human trafficking by providing specialist care to help them along the road to recovery. There are several volunteer roles with Unseen, ranging in levels of time commitment.
- Be aware of the signs of human trafficking: Being educated on signs that could indicate someone is a victim of human trafficking increases the likelihood of reporting and could give a voice to victims who do not feel comfortable speaking out for themselves. Signs that someone is a victim of human trafficking come in several categories. Poor work and living conditions, poor mental health and lack of control are some of the main areas to look for.
- Advocate: Meeting with or reaching out to local, state and federal representatives informs them that their constituents are passionate about fighting human trafficking, and brings the issue to their attention. This increases the likelihood that they will do something about it. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, for example, is the cornerstone of anti-trafficking legislation in America, yet it expired in 2011. Anti-trafficking nonprofits all over the country band together to advocate for its re-authorization, which was granted in 2013.
- Hold events to raise awareness: Raising awareness for human trafficking can also get more people involved and interested in joining the fight. It can create a chain reaction, leading to more people lobbying, fundraising and educating themselves. Regardless of what the event is, they are efficient ways to raise awareness for a cause and gain new followers.
- Boycott products and companies that permit human trafficking: Many goods produced in the United States and abroad are products of victims of human trafficking. Being conscientious about the products consumed and the companies supported is an easy way to contribute to the fight against human trafficking. An easy way to find out what products contribute to a “slavery footprint,” is the Department of Labor’s List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor.
- Help survivors: Donate clothes and other goods to shelters for victims of human trafficking. Also, encourage businesses to give jobs to survivors, helping them get back on their feet and get a fresh start. If applicable, offering legal advice to survivors allows them an opportunity to not only move forward but to gain justice. Helping survivors and contributing to their recovery stops the cycle of trauma in its tracks and ensures it won’t repeat itself.
- Stay informed: There are many anti-trafficking nonprofits with blogs and updates that people can subscribe to, keeping them in the loop of any new information or solutions to human trafficking. For example, the nonprofit organization Polaris Project offers updates via email for anyone who chooses to subscribe.
- Report suspicions: It is important to know the resources available. When traveling abroad, it is beneficial to look up the emergency phone number of the given country, to enable quick reports should a trafficking victim be spotted.
- Help combat the demand: The main factor that keeps human trafficking such a big issue is the constant demand for cheap labor and exploitation. Traffickers often turn to websites such as Craigslist and Backpage to target vulnerable potential victims. Enforcing stricter validity checks on websites like these and offering jobs through more reliable online platforms is attacking the problem at its root, and stopping human trafficking before it even begins.
These solutions to human trafficking can be applied to the lives of people everywhere, helping everyone feel like they are joining the fight against this international issue. There is great progress being made on a grander scale, but by working towards these solutions and implementing them into everyday life human trafficking can become a more manageable problem.
Open Funding Opportunities to curb Human Trafficking in Persons
NGOs are contributing efficiently in combating trafficking of human beings. They have played a vital role in prevention, protection, rescue, reintegration of the victims.
NGOs have adopted various methods to tackle the menace of human trafficking. They are actively assisting the victims of trafficking either in preventing the vulnerable sections of society from being trafficked, or extending protection to the survivors of trafficking and providing legal assistance to the survivors in prosecution of traffickers.
Not only this, NGOs also make recommendations to the government in framing policies and programme to prevent the trafficking offence from being committed. NGOs working for the social cause can be considered as complimentary to the role played by the police in investigating, rescue operation of victims of trafficking.
There are many NGOs who are running certified programs, grant programs, fellowship and scholarship programs to curb human trafficking issues prevailing in the society.
Several international and National organizations are also supporting these NGOs. Funding is being provided by these organizations on a regular basis to help NGOs in achieving their objectives. Therefore, keeping this in mind we have compiled a list of open funding opportunities on Human Trafficking. Check the list below:
Apply for Stop Slavery Award! Ending the Scourge of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
Applicants are invited to apply for the Stop Slavery Award to recognise the wide range of actors dedicated to ending the scourge of modern slavery and human trafficking…[more]
U.S. Embassy in Algeria announces Media in Countering Violent Extremism
The U.S. Embassy Algiers Counterterrorism Sections of the U.S. Department of State has announced an open competition for organizations to submit applications to organize a regional workshop in Algiers for journalists from Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and Senegal on the role of the media in countering violent extremism…[more]
Funding Call to Improve Investigations and Prosecutions of Human Trafficking in Ghana
The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs INL is seeking applications from qualified U.S. and non-U.S. based non-governmental (NGOs)/non-profit organizations…[more]
Nominations Open for HTF’s Anti-Slavery Day Awards 2019 – United Kingdom
The Human Trafficking Foundation (HTF) is seeking nominations for its Anti- Slavery Day Awards 2019 to recognize the vital work of the media in increasing awareness and understanding of modern slavery…[more]
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of INL: Strengthening Moldova’s Capacity to Address Child Online Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (COSESA)
The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is seeking applications from qualified U.S. and non-U.S. based non-governmental (NGOs)/non-profit organizations or Educational Institutions for a Grant…[more]
Health Canada’s Call for Proposals for Substance Use and Addictions Program
Health Canada announces Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) to provide approximately $50 million annually in grants and contributions funding annually to other levels of government community-led and not-for-profit organizations to respond to drug and substance use issues in Canada…[more]
Grant Competition on “Combating Torture – Systematic and Sustainable Solutions” – Ukraine
The International Renaissance Foundation (IRF) has announced a Grant Competition entitled “Combating Torture – Systematic and Sustainable Solutions”….[more]
Public Health Agency of Canada to Support Pathways to Care for People Who Use Drugs
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is inviting eligible organizations to submit applications for funding for projects that catalyze system-level change to enhance pathways to care for people who use drugs…[more]
Australia: Accredited Training for Sexual Violence Responses
The Australian Government is inviting eligible organizations to apply for up to $4.494 million GST exclusive (across FY2019-20 to FY2021-22) to develop and deliver free training to frontline workers across Australia to better recognize and respond to all people who experience sexual violence….[more]
U.S. Department of State launches Call to Empower Moldovan Civil Society
The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, is seeking applications from qualified U.S.-based and non-U.S. based nongovernmental/non-profit organizations (NGOs) for a Grant to implement a program entitled “Empowering Moldovan Civil Society to Monitor and Report on State Integrity and Anti corruption Activities, and to Engage and Educate the Public.”…[more]
Apply for “Strategic Communications for Community Resilience in Mozambique” Program
The United States Embassy in Mozambique has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to conduct audience analysis and work with local influencers to design targeted strategic communications interventions in northern Mozambique…[more]