FIVE WAYS YOU CAN HELP END SLAVERY
Help give a voice to those who have none

TAKE ACTION:


1: Bring a Speaker to Your Community
Our speakers have addressed everyone from Congress and the UN Commission on Human Rights to schools, religious groups, and local communities across the nation. As people who have either experienced slavery or witnessed it firsthand, they have made powerful presentations that have opened the door to inspiring discussion. Their remarkable stories of tragedy and triumph will make a global problem immediate to members of your community.

2: Organize a Fundraiser
Our work to end slavery and rehabilitate its victims would not be possible without financial support that comes from dedicated, socially concerned individuals like you. You can make a private donation or organize a fundraising event such as a benefit auction or dinner that will also raise public awareness of slavery.

3: Participate in an Advocacy Campaign
Take a stand against slavery by joining one of our online advocacy campaigns. You can join us in our efforts to pressure governments to keep human trafficking on their agenda, keep money out of slaving regimes, and free slaves. Or on your own initiative you can hold a demonstration or a rally.

4: Join the Freedom Action Network (FAN)
Come join a community of 30,000 people combating slavery and human trafficking.
Signup with your e-mail and we'll keep you updated on important events happening in your area, the latest developments in the fight to end slavery, and what you can do to help.

5: Write a Letter
Write to your congressmen or to representatives of the UN Security Council to show that you want them to keep the abolition of slavery on their agenda. Or write a letter to your local newspaper or magazine to raise public awareness. When holding an anti-slavery event, remember to contact your local newspaper and news stations to ensure media coverage of this important issue.

The American Anti-Slavery Group (AASG) is a Boston-based non-profit organization that works to abolish modern-day slavery through education, advocacy, and grassroots activism.
To learn more about how you can help, please visit, www.iAbolish.org

How can I help victims of human trafficking in the United States?
If you think you have found a case of human trafficking, please immediately contact your local authorities or an organization that has the resources to aid victims.

See NEW LAW just passed on Human Trafficking
Smith’s Trafficking Victims Protection Act Becomes Law

The following is a sampling of organizations that offer comprehensive services to victims of human trafficking. Comprehensive services include addressing the victim's basic needs for shelter, food, and clothing as well as case management, information and referral, legal assistance and advocacy, medical and dental services, mental health assessment and treatment, job skills training, transportation, and interpretation services. A complete list of organizations with point of contact info can be found here: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/traffickingmatrix.htm

Programs that Assist Victims of Human Trafficking:

Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking
(CAST): Enhanced Crisis Response Project
Los Angeles, CA
Contact: Heather Moore, 213- 365-1906
www.castla.org  

Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights: Victims of Trafficking Assistance Program
Chicago, IL
24 Hour Hotline: 312-296-0272
www.heartlandalliance.org


Mosaic Family Services:
Services for Victims of Trafficking
Texas
Contact: Bill Bernstein, 214-821-5393 www.mosaicservices.org

International Rescue Committe:
FL, WA, AZ
Contact: Melynda Barnhart, 212-551-2724
www.floridafreedom.org  | www.traffickingaz.org


Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition:
Center for Victims of Exploitation
and Trafficking
San Diego, CA
Contact: Marisa Ugarte, 619-265-0105
www.bsccoalition.org

Boat People S.O.S.:
Victims of Exploitation and Trafficking
Washington DC
Contact: Jean Bruggeman, 703-538-2190
www.bpsos.org

International Institute of Boston:
Massachusetts Trafficking Assistance Coalition
New England Area
Contact: Mojdeh Rohani, 617-695-9990
www.iiboston.org  


U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops:
Northwest and Mid-Atlantic Region Services to
Victims of Human Trafficking Prior to Certification
OR, DE, MD, NJ, PA
Contact: Nyssa Mestas, 202-541-3366
www.usccb.org/


The Julian Center: Comprehensive Services for
Victims of Human Trafficking
Indianapolis, IN
Contact: Charlene Miller, 317-941-2219

Refugee Women’s Network, Inc.:
Georgia
Contact: Danuta Przadka, 404-299-2185

Experts estimate that today there are 27 million people enslaved around the world, on all six inhabited continents.
The CIA estimates 14,500 to 17,000 victims are trafficked into the U.S. every year.
Slavery today is defined as forced labor without pay under the threat of violence.
Every year 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked internationally.
Approximately 80% of all victims are women and children.
Slavery is a very profitable international industry. Experts estimate trafficking in the US yields $9 billion each year.
Around the world, trafficking in women for commercial sex purposes nets $6 billion per year.
The four most common types of slavery are: Chattel slavery, debt bondage, forced labor, and sexual slavery.

CHATTEL SLAVERY is closest to the race-based slavery that prevailed in early American history. Chattel slaves are considered their masters’ property – exchanged for things like trucks or money and expected to perform labor and sexual favors: once of age, their children are expected to the same.  Where it’s happening: Sudan, Mauritania.

DEBT BONDAGE, or bonded labor is the most widely practiced form of slavery around the world. Extreme poverty often forces parents to offer themselves or their own children as collateral against a loan.  Though they are told they will only work until the dept is paid off, inflated interest rates often make this impossible.  As a result, the debt is inherited by the victim’s children, perpetuating a vicious cycle that can claim several generations.  Where: Florida, India.

SEX SLAVERY finds women and children forced into prostitution. Many are lured by false offers of a good job and then beaten and forced to work in brothels.  Others are sold by their fathers or brothers to pay off a debt. Still others are plainly kidnapped. Where: Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia

FORCED LABOR results when individuals are lured by the promise of a good job but instead find themselves subjected to slaving conditions – working with payment in enduring physical abuse, often in harsh and hazardous conditions. Victims include domestic workers, construction workers, and even human mind detectors.  Where: Brazil, Burma, Dominican Republic, Pakistan.

To learn more, visit www.iabolish.org
Fact Sheet information adopted from Free the Slaves



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