By Margo Bates
Student Writer
Margo Bates is a student at Winter Springs High School.
January is Human Trafficking Prevention month in the United States, and at Love Missions Global and Elevate Her Boutique, human trafficking is brought out of the darkness where it often hides. While it is a topic that most people are uncomfortable discussing, it cannot be prevented if it remains hidden. Elevate Her Boutique in downtown Sanford sells handmade goods created by a community of women survivors of abuse and trafficking, as well as single mothers. The work of Love Missions Global includes mentorship for survivors, educating the public on this little known topic, assisting survivors of trafficking, and providing places for victims of this sordid act.
There are many misconceptions around the term “human trafficking” that Love Missions Global would like to break down. Unlike what is believed by many, that human trafficking happens primarily in other parts of the world to people from other countries, trafficking can happen to anyone from anywhere and frighteningly does. Every year, 300,000 American children are trafficked, while our own state of Florida is third in the United States for trafficking, and Central Florida is third in the state due to the flow of travel and tourism rates. Many are led to believe that this sort of event only happens in big cities, however it can occur in any community.
Trafficking can happen by and to anyone, however 83% of human trafficking instances begin from grooming online. Grooming is a sort of gaining of trust, often from strangers on the internet, beginning with friendly talk and increasing trust through vulnerability until they have something from you that you don’t want revealed. A groomer then uses the leverage to get whatever they want from you, whether it is purchasing illicit substances, prostitution, or other forced acts.
Human trafficking is not the sort of thing anyone wants to talk about because it is very disturbing, but knowledge is power. Without education, prevention is impossible. As Tina Kadolph of Elevate Her Boutique says, human trafficking is “held in the darkness on purpose.” Know the signs of grooming and abuse to keep yourself safe from traffickers, and if you suspect someone you know is a victim of trafficking, know the ways to find out. Never do anything to alert the trafficker of your knowledge. Instead, if you have the suspicion, ask the supposed victim privately if they are safe. If they say they are, there is nothing more you can do. If you have valid evidence that they are being trafficked, call the human trafficking hotline at 888-373-7888; it can provide the victim safety and care.
Without prevention and intervention, circumstances cannot improve. January is Human Trafficking Prevention month. I urge you to educate yourself, your friends and your family about what to look out for and how to protect yourself and others from human trafficking.
For more information about Love Missions, or to make a donation, you can visit LoveMissions.net
