By Betty Ann Boeving, BAATC.org Executive Director & Founder
Wikipedia confirms that if California were its own country, it would be the 8th largest economy in the world. This means that the Bay Area stands as one of the largest economic engines anywhere that is driving the global demand for cheap goods made with cheap “slave” labor. It is hard to hear, that our consumption habits locally are directly connected with perpetuating human trafficking globally, especially labor trafficking.

What changes can we make?

Own Up: Complete the slaveryfootprint.org survey to learn how many people in the world are estimated to be in exploited labor because of the products you currently own and buy. Don’t stop there! Click on the site to reduce your footprint and send letters to retailers with slavery in their supply chains. This site is supported by the U.S. Department of State.

Be Selective: Don’t drastically dispose of your pantry or closet at first. Adjust consumption of products with the highest daily usage in your household that have the strongest correlation with slavery: chocolate, tea, rice, sugar and hygiene products. ProductsofSlavery.org

Stay Current: Be careful not to “villanize” companies; some who have done the most harm and the ones now working for the greatest change. Stay up-to-date with the Free2Work mobile app or Better World Shoppers Guide website.

By Betty Ann Boeving, BAATC.org Executive Director & Founder

A young magazine salesman rings your doorbell—is that all he/she is selling? This happened to me. A 17-year-old boy came selling “magazines” to my home in the middle of the day on a Wednesday. His magazine promotional materials were on a crumpled up bi-fold with no company information listed, only an 800 number in small print. He said he was taking time to learn sales before heading off to college in a year or two. I asked him a few questions about his “line of work” and working conditions. When I declined purchasing any magazines for the third time, he asked simply, “what if it wasn’t just magazines I was selling?” With the posture change in his body and the look in his eye, I quickly understood what he meant. He was offering sexual services to women in my neighborhood for pay; the money went back to a head “boss” or pimp. At times like this, we can feel that our knowledge of human trafficking collides with real-life experiences in a way that can paralyze us on the spot. Feelings of vulnerability arise when a potential victim stares us in the face. Printing the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 1-888-373-7888, on a small label to stick and stick on a pack of gum or bar of soap is a great way to give something in the moment that can fit in his/her pocket for them to consider if they ever want to leave their situation. It’s small, discrete, and could lead to greater freedom. For appropriate questions to ask, pocket cards are available for free at: www.acf.hhs.gov

By Betty Ann Boeving, BAATC.org Executive Director & Founder

When traveling, are you the person who asks an icebreaker question to your seat companion before your flight has even left the ground? Do you find something to say to the person bagging your groceries at the store? If so, you may want to consider some conversation starters that can help you mention your interest in fighting human trafficking. With each interaction, one more person will know about the importance of human trafficking awareness. 

Consider: carrying a Freedom Summit bag or another bag with anti-trafficking information on it to use while shopping so that folks can see and remember the web address for more information if interested. www.baatc.org 

Carry: a lanyard that lists the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 1-888-373-7888, and have in your wallet/purse a pocket guide with questions to ask if you encounter a potential trafficking victim. “Are you able to leave your work situation?” “Do you have possession of your ID documents?” Available for free at: www.acf.hhs.gov

Call: the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 1-888-373-7888, and ask for further resources about what to look for when traveling, whether around your neighborhood, or across the nation. Notice bus and truck stops you pass, businesses that stay open after-hours, and airports you fly from, as places where awareness can be raised, and victims can be found. www.polarisproject.org

By Betty Ann Boeving, BAATC.org Executive Director & Founder

Try it: say “Human Trafficking” among a group of friends or family members, and watch their immediate response. People often can’t hide their reaction to the naming of this issue if they know anything at all about what it involves. What do you say when you have their attention?

Keep It Simple: Definitions of human trafficking can get lengthy and full of legal terms.

Share Your Story: Even close friends will attempt to change the subject if they are immediately overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem. Invite them to hear about what aspect of the issue most impacts you, when you first encountered with the anti-trafficking movement, and what you are doing to take a stand. This will connect them to you as a person, not simply to an issue.

Suggest Next Steps: Mention a specific book you read, a YouTube you recommend (Kevin Bales TEDTalk), or invite them to an upcoming film screening or training. They will leave the conversation with tangible action steps when they recall your conversation later in the day or week. Recommended resources from Freedom Summit