It is #HumanTraffickingAwarenessDay, so take a moment to spread awareness and debunk some common myths about human trafficking and modern slavery. Human trafficking is a complex social justice issue that is difficult to identify, and adding to further misconceptions, it is often misrepresented in pop culture.
Here are some myths to look out for:
⚠️MYTH: Human Trafficking is a problem far away
Human trafficking exists in all countries around the world. People of every race, gender identification, religion, age, and economic background can be susceptible to human trafficking but poverty and discrimination increase vulnerability.
⚠️MYTH: Perpetrators are ‘criminals’
Perpetrators may not be recognized as ‘criminals’, they can be unscrupulous employers, companies, and governments. Perpetrators can even be victims of human trafficking themselves, forced or coerced to traffick others.
⚠️MYTH: People in slavery are transported and tied up.
Human trafficking is often portrayed in pop culture as a young girl being swiped off the street or tied up. It is human trafficking if force, coercion, deception or fraud is used. Transportation and physical restraint are not always present.
⚠️MYTH: If it’s expensive, it wasn’t made with trafficked forced labor.
A higher price does not guarantee that a product is slavery-free. Many materials used in expensive items have been implicated in the use of forced labor: diamonds, cobalt for batteries, fabric for designer clothing.
⚠️MYTH: Human trafficking only affects women and girls.
Human trafficking affects both men, women, boys and girls. Historically, most identified victims of human trafficking are women. More recently organizations have become better at identifying male victims of human trafficking.
⚠️MYTH: There is nothing I can do about it.
You do have the power to make a difference! Together we can hold businesses and governments accountable and push for change. When we come together, our collective voice can have a big impact.
Keep learning about human trafficking and turn your awareness into action by signing our petitions! https://lnkd.in/eYQgdHRB
This is an immensely important mission and it is essential to highlight it to encourage others to do the same! Amazing work.