The Freedom Series: Part 1

12 Comments

One of the most preemptive solutions to the issue of human trafficking is awareness. The goal behind focusing an anti-human trafficking nonprofit on raising awareness is preventing the problem before it actually happens. Another goal of awareness is to equip the general public with knowledge about how human trafficking works and the different signals that it may be taking place.

The A21 Campaign is an excellent model of an anti-human trafficking nonprofit focused on awareness and prevention. Founded in 2008 by Christine Caine, A21 has been on the cutting edge of awareness based nonprofits while still being involved with other aspects of fighting modern day slavery. A21’s Can You See Me? campaign and Walk for Freedom exemplify their passion for telling the world that slavery still exists. Along with these campaigns, A21 also seeks to educate the next generation about human trafficking, so that they can both recognize a trafficking victim when they see them and avoid being trafficked themselves. In recognition of this work, A21 was awarded the 2017 Mother Teresa Memorial Award in Mumbai, India in December.

Awareness plays a key role in stopping human trafficking from spreading. Making the general population educated eyes and ears against human trafficking can create a monumental advantage to stopping it forever.

What are your thoughts? Do you think that awareness is the cornerstone to ending the global epidemic of human trafficking? Or do you believe that awareness-based nonprofits can and should focus more on tactics to rescue people in slavery right now?

For more information, check out the video below or go to http://www.a21.org.

12 thoughts on “The Freedom Series: Part 1”

  1. Marie Sonson's avatar Marie Sonson

    I totally agree that the power of awareness is underrated. Possibly because it’s less visible, people tend to put awareness in the backseat. I see human trafficking as a great example of something that we must be aware of. The fruit of prevention is difficult to measure, but I’m sure that it makes a difference, especially in this issue. I believe non-profits should find a good balance of both the practical tactics as well as the prevention in order to attack the problem from both ends.

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    • bridgetegillespie1's avatar bridget.e.gillespie

      Hi Marie! Thank you so much for your comment! I agree that this is a hard issue to measure, but it is still very important. Thank you again!

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  2. Lacey Reynish's avatar Lacey Reynish

    It is so interesting that you chose to write about human trafficking because I recently felt like God put this subject on my heart due to the exposure of Missions conference. There is so much human trafficking going on around us all the time and it is crucial to be aware and look for signs of people who may be going through it themselves.

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    • bridgetegillespie1's avatar bridget.e.gillespie

      Hi Lacey! I am so glad that this topic hit home for you! Awareness is huge part of being able to help people who are currently being affected by human trafficking.

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  3. Kristin Hori's avatar Kristin Hori

    Hi Bridget!
    I love that you chose to blog about something that is so close to your heart personally. I definitely agree that awareness is a vital first step towards preventing human trafficking. I too am inspired by organizations such as A21 who fight for such an important cause. It is wonderful that they give us opportunities to take part in the movement against human trafficking. Personally, as an American who is unable to go into the missions field currently, its great that I’m given this chance to help.

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    • bridgetegillespie1's avatar bridget.e.gillespie

      Hi Kristin! Thank you so much for the comment! I am so glad that you too are inspired by great organizations like A21! Thank you again!

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  4. Pierce Singgih's avatar Pierce Singgih

    I really enjoyed your post! In response to your question, I believe that awareness is paramount to ending the global problem of human trafficking. Of course, we are at Biola, and in our Christian bubble we are exposed to the problem and have continuing conversations about ending slavery. However, for those outside of our bubble, they may be less aware about the problem. Of course, people may know that human trafficking is still a problem but they may not know how huge the problem is.

    I do, however, believe that there needs to be more done to stop human trafficking. I have heard that the FBI has a program to end human trafficking and I have heard of Christian organizations doing the same but it only seems like the problem is growing.

    I think that we have a responsibility to globalize this issue. Just as the #MeToo movement has grown immensely, I believe that the movement to end human trafficking should grow just as big.

    I appreciate your post! Thanks for the read!

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    • bridgetegillespie1's avatar bridget.e.gillespie

      Hi Pierce! Thank you for your comment! I really liked how you tied in the #MeToo movement. I believe that the public should be contributing to spreading awareness about human trafficking just as much as they were in #MeToo. Thank you so much!

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  5. Brooke's avatar Brooke

    I believe that awareness is the key to decreasing the amount of human trafficking that goes on. The epidemic of human trafficking is, unfortunately, well established all over the world. It is so embedded into the world’s society that it is going to be very hard to demolish completely. However, it is wrong to just give up and do nothing about it. Thus, the answer is ti bring awareness into people’s lives. Some people live in the comfort of their own space and bubble that they fall to look outside of it and see that there are so many people suffering and that something can be done about it if they were just to take some action. It does not have to be big, it could be as simple as spreading word to anyone who will listen, or posting on one’s social media platforms, or even making small donations here and there to the cause. It is key to remember that none of this, and so much are, can be accomplished if awareness is not made.

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    • bridgetegillespie1's avatar bridget.e.gillespie

      Hi Brooke! Thank you so much for your comment. I agree that awareness is extremely important to this issue. I loved your comment about how none of the things an organization wants to do can be accomplished without awareness. Thank you again!

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  6. Amanda Pappalardo's avatar Amanda Pappalardo

    Bridget!

    I loved your post and the topic you chose to write about. I feel sometimes we forget about what a big deal this is as it often gets overshadowed by something else and I think it is important to keep this on our minds. I love that you highlighted the importance of awareness and I think you did a great job!

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    • bridgetegillespie1's avatar bridget.e.gillespie

      Hi Amanda! Thanks for the comment! I agree that this often is not an issue that is at the fore front of our minds. Thank you again!

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