In this topical article, you will learn about what Human Trafficking is, and it's extreme prevalence in society today. Hallie Johnson will cite staggering statistics, and how YOU can stay safe.
Trigger Warning for Human Trafficking.
There are currently 40.3 million victims of human trafficking throughout the world, according to Stop the Traffik, an organization dedicated to preventing, raising awareness for human trafficking, and helping those victims. Everyone is a potential target of being kidnapped anywhere, anytime. Age, gender, size, and health do not matter to kidnappers, contrary to popular belief. They will get who they can, when they can. Many people are sharing their safety tips in hopes that others will remain safe and sound.
Parents are taking extra precautionary measures to keep their children safe. Sabrina Swartz, a junior at Grants Pass High School, expressed comfort in knowing what to do and that help of every kind is only one call away. Parents are teaching their kids simple yet important ways to stay out of an abduction situation or get out of it. Many parents track their kids’ phones, point out houses or places to go if something happens and have emergency contacts posted in clear places. Some parents keep an updated photo of their child on hand and have their kids fingerprinted. Parents are making their teens carry loud rape alarms, sharp key chains, flashlights, and take self defense classes. Self defense product sales are slowly on the rise as more and more cases pour in and scare parents and students alike.
Many people often feel threatened at stores and shopping malls, so new techniques are arising regarding how to scare off a kidnapper. Some people report feeling followed for a long time and do not know what to do. There are three simple and smart actions you can take to feel and stay safe. First, look the predator in the eyes. Most kidnappers think their targets do not know that they are following you, so showing you know they are there is important and will sometimes ward them off. Meira Rice, a sophomore at Grants Pass High School said making eye contact was the easiest way to feel and be safe that has been taught to her. Second, take a picture of the individual. You can either turn and around and take a picture of their face with them knowing or, more subtly, take a selfie with their face in the background. Lastly, go to a store employee and quickly explain that you are being followed and ask if they would escort you to your car. The employees care about your safety and will make sure you’re alright.
Cars and parking lots are easy places for people to grab others because, most of the time, no one is around and their car is right there to take their target away. There have been several instances of a predator coming up to a person in a store and telling them to take them to their car. If this happens, scream, throw your keys, and run in the opposite direction of your keys. If the kidnapper has a person and their car, they are extremely hard to find. Rice said,” Parents want their child more than the car. Don’t worry about the car. Your car will be found and replaced. You are more important than a car.” When walking to the car, hold keys in between the index and middle finger so they can not be stolen, and so it can be used as a weapon. Before getting in the car, check under the car, around, and inside. Human traffickers will hide under cars and cut achilles tendons so their victims can’t run and are extra vulnerable. As soon as you get into the car, lock the doors. Women tend to sit in their car for a few minutes checking their phone or touching up makeup, and kidnappers know this and use it to their advantage.
Staying safe is easy and well worth the time and small amount of money. Men and women from as young as 5 to as old as 77 have fallen victim to this inhumane crime. Everyone is a potential target, and everyone should know how to stay safe.
