What I need to know:

Understanding the definition and factors of human trafficking or modern day slavery is the largest component to the answer of my essential question. Without that, it will be extremely hard to feel the drive necessary for action behind the words. I need to know how to present this topic sensitively, protecting the identity of victims and making sure it is appropriate for the age group of my audience. Empathy is another key component to being successful in my research. This subject can be very dark and requires a positive and optimistic attitude. 

 

What I know or assume:

Before conducting my research on modern say slavery, I was victim to many false assumptions of the people who are involved in such things. Prior to my research, I was unaware of just how prevalent this issue is not only globally but even in our own communities. I also underestimated how many connections and answers I could obtain just by reaching out and asking.

 

The search:

When conducting my research I looked to various sources for factual information and even personal testimonies. My first resource was my mentor, Jenny, who has been volunteering in this field for a few years. She was able to provide me with many connections to people who would be beneficial to my research. My second resource was attending the weekend long, Out of Darkness training seminar. At this training I was educated on the the emotional, physical, and physiological aspects of this issue and was trained in the restoration, reach and prevention processes. My next, and most essential sources of research, was our global non-profit partner A21. Their website has an abundance of factual and statistical information and is the site I direct curious people to when explaining what human trafficking or modern day slavery is. In October of this past year I reached out to A21's London office to answer some questions I had about what this issue looks like globally, since my internship only focuses on Atlanta. I had the amazing opportunity to travel to London later that month and personally meet and interview the director of outreach. I continued the trend of simply reaching out and asking and even ended up interviewing the Director of Rotary International. 

 

What I discovered: 

After conducting my research, I have gained new a passion for people like never before. I now understand that there is no difference between a prostitute and a sex slave. I have become extremely aware of how pornography fuels sex trafficking and how many people young and old are affected by addiction to it. The reality is slavery is illegal in every country around the globe but still exists in 162 of them, including America. There are five types of trafficking: sex trafficking, forced labour, bonded labour, involuntary domestic servitude and child soldiers. There are seven known ways of how victims are trafficked: false job advertisement, sold by family, loverboy, abduction, trafficked by a friend, and false immigration.

Despite all of these scary truths there are so many ways that you can do something in your community to make others aware and stop this from happening.