STOP Human Trafficking Ministry
This ministry is to raise awareness, educate, and identify actionable steps in the fight to end trafficking and help restore dignity and hope to its victims. Human Trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery. It is when force, fraud, or coercion is used by an individual to make a profit by forcing someone into involuntary labor or commercial exploitation. It happens locally and globally, including here in the Bay Area.
Raise Awareness & Action to Take
January is the month to raise awareness about human trafficking, also known as modern day slavery. All are invited to attend and spread the word about these upcoming events and to be present and help make a difference.
For more info, contact Humantrafficking@santateresachurch.com
Watch for RED FLAGS (signs that someone might be a victim)
- Fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense or nervous
- Inability to make eye contact, malnourished or does not use name
- Signs of abuse or presence of overly-controlling boyfriend or adult
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
- National Trafficking Hotline Number & Resource Center
- Call: 1-888-3737-888 or Text: 233733
- Visit: humantraffickinghotline.org
- Task Forces – Santa Clara County and San Jose:
- 408-918-4960 – SCC HT Task Force
- 408-537-1999 – SJPD HT Task Force
- Learn More
- Free, Online Training offered by Stanford Online: lagunita.stanford.edu
- ACT! (Awareness Combats Trafficking!) – Teen Educational App/game
BUY FAIR TRADE – CONSUME WISELY
- Shop Online for ethical, fair trade:
- CRS: crs.org
- 3Strands: 3strandsshop.com
- Thistle Farms: thistlefarms.org/
- Measure Your Impact: slaveryfootprint.org
- Shop Wisely: “Fair Trade Logo Hunt Worksheet”
- Learn more: “ Cocoa Crisis – Is Slavery in the Supply Chain?”
ADVOCACY and LEGISLATION
In California, minors under 18 years old are considered “victims” and are not arrested, but connected to services available. If you see any suspicious activity with a minor, report it to the U.S. National Trafficking Hotline Number: 888-373-7888 or Text 233733
Support Needed – Contact your Representatives
- AB-2034 – Transit Worker Training (Ash Kalra) CLICK HERE for Fact Sheet
Human Trafficking training bill for transit employees. This bill would require a business or other establishment that operates an intercity passenger rail, light rail, or bus station, on or before January 1, 2020, to train its employees who are likely to interact or to come into contact with, a victim of human trafficking in recognizing the signs of human trafficking and how to report it.
Recently Approved Legislation – Ensure Enforcement
- Public posting requirements in workplace with Human Trafficking National Hotline#
- Prevention Education & Training in Public Schools for grades 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th
- SESTA & FOSTA Bill packages
RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE
- Catholic Network to End Human Trafficking (CNEHT)
- U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Trafficking – sistersagainsttrafficking.org
- Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition (baatc.org) or Watch Tedx Talk