Fight Against Human Trafficking
May 8th, 2024
iPhone 15 Pro camera, Adobe Photoshop
I took this photo while on a roadtrip from NYC to Las Vegas. It was jarring to me the amount of times I saw this poster and others like it plastered on the backs of bathroom stalls. I think it was my third time seeing this one in particular when I decided to snap the shot.
Human trafficking remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations today. It is a multi-billion dollar industry, affecting an estimated 27.6 million people worldwide, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). Of these, around 4.9 million individuals are subjected to forced sexual exploitation. Women and girls are estimated to make up 99% of the victims in this category, with approximately 21% being children. Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are particularly hard-hit regions, where economic vulnerabilities and weak legal frameworks exacerbate the issue.
In the United States alone, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 9,619 cases involving 16,999 victims (2023). Victims of sex trafficking are often deceived by false promises of employment or education, only to find themselves trapped in exploitative situations. Many are subjected to physical and psychological abuse, deprived of their freedom, and forced into sexual slavery. Vulnerable populations, including migrants, refugees, and marginalized communities, are disproportionately affected.
Efforts to combat human trafficking are complicated by several factors, including the secretive nature of the crime, corruption, inadequate victim protection measures, and the evident global demand for commercial sex considering the millions of victims affected. International law enforcement agencies, such as INTERPOL and UNODC, are working alongside non-governmental organizations to improve identification and prosecution rates, but much work remains to be done.
Survivors often face significant challenges in reintegrating into society, including stigmatization, mental health issues, and inadequate support services. Comprehensive survivor care is essential, encompassing medical, psychological, legal, and social support.
Fifty percent of the proceeds from minting this NFT will go towards the Polaris Project, to fund direct support to survivors of human trafficking in the US. The other fifty percent will go towards The A21 Campaign, an agency focused on globally fighting human trafficking through awareness, prevention, intervention, and aftercare measures. Every subsequent sale will be split 50-50 between the seller and the nonprofits. You must be 18 years or older (or whichever is the legal age in your area) and possess a valid credit card tied to your name, or if purchasing with crypto you automatically attest that you are of legal majority age within your jurisdiction to be making such a transaction.
Parts of this text were generated by AI