Who’s Raising Awareness for Human Trafficking Awareness Day?
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month with January 11th being the official Human Trafficking Awareness Day. It’s a big social media month for many anti-trafficking organizations, ours included.
We had an interesting conversation amongst some members of our staff this month in which it was pointed out that we, as well as other nonprofits in this sector, raise awareness about this issue every month through our posts, our blogs, our very existence! The people who engage with us are people who are already aware of this issue - in fact, that’s why they donate and follow. The people who should really be leading the charge on awareness around this issue is…..you.
You. The everyday citizen. The ordinary individual living your ordinary extraordinary life. You, the person who has family, friends, community, coworkers, neighbors, who don’t have the same level of awareness as you do.
The biggest lie in social justice work is that only a handful of professionals or experts can catalyze change. That’s simply not true. You are a vital piece to seeing a more hopeful world. Because you are able to communicate when we can not. You have relationships that we don’t have. You are able to spread the word, the idea, the mission, the hope to places we don’t even know about. You are able to donate and fundraise. It’s people just like you who connected FTG to all our partners on the ground! It’s all about who you know - and we know you. Who do you know?
So this January, we encourage you to raise awareness.
Wear blue. Not like a little bit of blue - go all out Smurf-style. Make a statement! Make people ask what’s going on with your outfit, giving you an opportunity to say, “How much do you know about human trafficking?”.
Start conversations. It might feel awkward at first, but we have confidence in you! Feel free to forward a newsletter or social media post to break the ice if that feels easier.
Go to your workplace/school/church/group and pitch the idea of a human trafficking awareness seminar. Don’t feel like you know enough to lead it? Email us and we’ll either train you or do it for you! (Seriously - we love this stuff!)
Feel empowered. Because empowered people empower others. Imagine what would happen if every supporter of an anti-trafficking organization took it upon themselves to raise awareness in a thoughtful, intentional way. It would be world-changing…which would become life-changing to those trapped in a cycle of exploitation and trafficking.
Let us know how you’re taking initiative this January or, really, anytime throughout the year! We want to cheer you on and help equip you to be an ambassador for change, for hope, for true freedom.
We’re in this together,
Courtney & all of us at FTG
