Welcome to my blog. This is my first attempt to enter the blogging world...so, here I go!
My name is Amy Newby. I am a honors in nursing student at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. I came across the topic of Human Trafficking while working on a service learning project in the nursing honors program. I am currently working in collaboration with Freedom to Thrive, an anti-trafficking coalition in Birmingham,AL to eradicate human trafficking in the greater Birmingham area. I have been to be able help devise a learning module about the healthcare provider's role in assessing and identifying victims of human trafficking, and present it!
I quickly became immersed in the literature on this topic and found myself becoming very adamant about helping trafficking victims in any way I could. Because the traffickers themselves thrive on secrecy and lack of awareness of human trafficking, it is my mission to educate people. Please follow me as I go on a journey to raise awareness of human trafficking and dispel misconceptions! YOU too can make a difference!
What is Human Trafficking?
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Some Misconceptions about Human Trafficking:
- Human Trafficking only happens internationally, not here in the US. Fact: The United States is the 2nd largest market/destination for Human Trafficking in the world! Trafficking is happening all around us, and does not distinguish based on ethnicity, age, or gender.
- Human Trafficking is not all that common. Fact: Human Trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the US today. It is the 3rd largest source of income for organized crime (behind drugs and arms!) and is projected to continue to get worse.
- Sex trafficking is the only form of human trafficking. Fact: There are 3 types of human trafficking: Labor trafficking, adult sex trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). In fact, the majority of immigrants brought to the US are involved in labor trafficking. Trafficking of US citizens is mainly sex trafficking. This effects men and boys in addition to women and girls.
- There is nothing that we can do to stop human trafficking. Fact: You CAN help! If you suspect someone you know is being trafficked, you can call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline based out of Washington, DC. 1-888-3737-888
