Trafficking is a racial justice issue

“Power without love is reckless and abusive...
Justice, at its best, is love correcting everything that stands against love.”

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. On this day, we’re reminded that

It's true that any child can be a victim of trafficking. However, the fact that the majority of victims are people of color should not be undermined or understated.

Trafficking disproportionately affects people of color. When we’ve looked at records* of how many children are referred for trafficking services or whose cases have been investigated, we’re finding that children of color are about 4x times more likely to be trafficked than white children.

It’s important that we recognize the intersection between trafficking and racism in order to address the root causes and be proactive about transforming the systems that perpetuate these injustices.

Below, you can find some links to engage more about this. It may not be easy, but as MLK said, "Change does not roll in on wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for freedom."

This MLK Day, those of us fighting to end child trafficking can honor his legacy by continuing to see and address how racism and systemic injustices contribute to the problem.

Here's a quick video about this issue you can share with your networks:

HAVE 1 MINUTE? WATCH THIS VIDEO.

Here's a blog about race & trafficking, including a story from one survivor about how race impacted their experience:

HAVE 5 MINUTES? READ THIS STORY.

Here's a conversation amongst several activists all about how race and trafficking are related:

HAVE 45 MINUTES? LISTEN TO THIS CONVERSATION.

Do you live in Connecticut? There's a panel on Race and Child Trafficking at the capitol next month, on February 19th. Join us!

HAVE 2 HOURS? COME TO THIS EVENT.

*Citation: The US Department of Justice found that between 2008 and 2010, children of color accounted for 77.8% of child sex trafficking cases they investigated, compared to the 48% of nonwhite in the general population, according to the US Census during this time. In Connecticut, where Love146’s US Survivor Care program is based, 73% of all child sex trafficking referrals to the state’s Department of Children and Families in 2018 were children of color, compared to 43% of children being nonwhite in the Connecticut state general population at that time.

LEARN MORE FACTS ABOUT CHILD TRAFFICKING

SUPPORT WORK PREVENTING TRAFFICKING & CARING FOR SURVIVORS

If you know someone who is being trafficked or exploited, or have reason to believe they are in need of help, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1.888.373.7888 or SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO").
Their web site also has an extensive list of resources at humantraffickinghotline.org.

Founded in 2002, Love146 is an international human rights organization working to end the trafficking and exploitation of children through survivor care and prevention. Our programs in the US, the UK, the Philippines, and parts of Africa have reached over 55,000 children. The trafficking and exploitation of children is one of the darkest stories and most severe human rights abuses imaginable. Your donation will give children in our care a fighting chance. Thank you for believing in what lies ahead of children, no matter what lies behind them.

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