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 |
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights: Victims of Trafficking Assistance Program |
Mosaic Family Services: |
International Rescue Committee: |
Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition: |
Boat People S.O.S.: |
International Institute of Boston: |
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: |
The Julian Center: Comprehensive Services for |
Refugee Women’s Network, Inc.: |
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 paymentin 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