As an art business, I contribute to the fight against human trafficking by donating ten percent of the proceeds from each sale to a an organization that actively combats modern day slavery. I choose charities based on their reach, their resources, their recognition as a 501(c)(3) organization, and their consistency. If you’re curious about how funding non-profits helps the cause, here’s a breakdown of how donations can be utilized (keep in mind it varies depending on each organizations’ specialization):
- To fund covert, in-person rescue operations of victims in the United States and abroad, working closely with local authorities and fellow organizations
- To provide education and employment opportunities for victims, especially vocational training so they can support themselves independently
- To support holistic restoration for the lives of survivors
- To provide legal support in advocacy for victim(s) so that they may receive justice in the court of law
- To administer in-person emergency responses of trafficked victims
- To support the well-being of victims, including offering intensive care, shelter and housing, mental health treatment and support groups, food, and substance abuse treatment
- To run awareness and prevention campaigns in the United States and abroad
- To provide training to organizations and businesses to help them identify and report instances of human trafficking
- To develop and adopt technology to be able to identify and pursue traffickers in the internet age
Funding is necessary for the fight against human trafficking but it’s only one of the many ways that you can get involved. Whether you donate to a charity directly, contribute through a purchase, spread awareness online, or volunteer, you can help make freedom available to all.