You made it to Week 3, Trailblazer!

You’ve Mobilized and Maximized so far this month…now let’s Minimize!

We’ll make an educated guess that you probably don’t have a domestic servant enslaved in your home, or regularly hit the streets to buy sex. However, you might unknowingly be adding to demand in other ways. Trailblazer, it’s time to think of your part in ending demand.

If you've been reading the 31 Human Trafficking Facts, you know how large and overwhelming the issue of human trafficking is. But one of the best parts of the Blackout Trafficking Challenge is that it helps normal, everyday people like us do something about an issue as big and intimidating as human trafficking.

Part of this begins with us. It might be surprising, but the truth is that human trafficking exists because of the normal, ordinary people who fuel it. Oppression exists because everyday people don't stand against injustice—which we are starting to do through this challenge. But, it also true that it is us, everyday, average people who are creating the demand for modern slaves and exploitation.

This week we challenge you to look at what it means for you to "minimize" your part in demand. We ask you to:

  • Reread your "why" from week one to keep your eyes on the goal 

  • Make sure that you’ve donated $10 of your own to one of the Blackout Trafficking partners this year!

  • Challenge yourself to choose one of the areas below where you can practice minimizing the demand the fuels human trafficking

Trailblaze freedom by Minimizing the demand of human exploitation

As we advocate against human trafficking, we want to explore all the ways in which we might be contributing to the issue as well. This is why this week we challenge you to look at your own life and see if you can be part of minimizing the demand.

  • Don't Buy Sex

    • Get help with porn or buying sex here and here.

    • Encourage your friends who are into porn or buying sex to see the negative consequences (like sex trafficking!) and refer them to help

    • Become a Shared Hope Defender; this is a program for men who are committed to bringing dignity honor and respect to women.

    • When you see/hear media that glorifies sexual abuse or buying sex, say something to help others realize not everyone thinks this is cool

    • Choose one of these action items or learning tools from the Coalition of Trafficking Against Women

  • Understand Your Slavery Footprint

    What do labor trafficking victims do all day? When we think about the answer to this question, we realize that they probably do things that would bring their oppressor’s profit. If there are tens of millions of modern slaves making money for their oppressors, and we live in a globalized world with a high economy, it shouldn't be hard for us to put two and two together. Yep. You got it: the oppressors make their money off of us.

    We know it is hard to consider how much you add to the demand for modern slaves, but we must be honest. If you do anything this week, take this unique, interactive survey to help you see your slavery footprint here below:

    Discover Your Slavery Footprint

  • Understand why Fair Trade is Important

    If you’ve done your Slavery Footprint, you understand that everyday items that you purchase (coffee, chocolate, cotton!) can all contribute to human exploitation and slavery.

    An easy switch would be to start buying used or recycled items (social media has lots of Buy Nothing local groups!), and you can reuse items so you aren’t adding to the demand for new products made.

    You can also start to explore buying from ethically sourced and Social Good Stores. To avoid becoming overwhelmed and quitting before you start, choose just one area to begin buying differently in and commit to changing that first.