Hosting a Sex Trafficking Awareness-Raising Event
On Facebook this week, Coloradans Against Sex Trafficking asked the community to participate in a poll. This poll was designed to assist CAST in our efforts to bolster the community's efforts to fight sex trafficking in Colorado and the U.S. The community was asked which of three actions you as an individual would be most likely to take if you decided to do something to fight sex trafficking.
View the poll: TRAFFICKING ACTIVISM POLL
The overwhelming majority of responses to the poll indicated that most people would take action by hosting an awareness-raising event.
CAST hears you, and we want to help! So we have developed 3 different strategies for the average citizen to host an awareness raising event that will take the minimal time and effort while maximizing the impact of their efforts.
What is it?: There are many events put on nowadays by prominent, well established organizations wishing to combat human trafficking in your area. The idea behind the Group Activism Event is to gather a group of friends (large or small - your choice) to attend an anti-trafficking walk, run, rally, conference, workshop, or other event. The best way to make the biggest impact with your personal efforts to combat trafficking is to gather a group of friends around yourself who are interested in fighting with you.
Duration: However long your chosen event lasts. This can be an entire day, or you can choose to attend a rally for an hour or so. Really, the time you spend is up to you and your group.
Planning requirements: You may need to sign up for the event you choose as a group or as individuals. You will also most likely need to plan with your group a bit ahead of time (picking an event, planning your meet-up, etc).
Financial requirements: Cost of the event/ticket (unless free).
What is it?: This event centers around an intimate gathering of friends/acquaintances that you know might take an interest in the cause. In this scenario, you invite a number of people to your house/apartment. You lay out refreshments and set up a comfortable space with plenty of seating. You show a video or invite a speaker to come and talk about the trafficking crisis in your area, and you discuss the video as a group, ask questions of the speaker, and learn how you each can recognize the signs of human trafficking and what actions can be taken once it is spotted.
Duration: You can make this meeting last as long as you want. Generally, we suggest an hour to an hour and a half.
Planning requirements: Getting the speaker you want or choosing the video you will watch. Preparing your home for the meeting (e.g., refreshments, seating, etc).
Financial requirements: Only the cost of refreshments. Perhaps the cost of the video if the one you pick requires it.
At CAST, we center ourselves on the belief that it is the actions of the individual and the community that make the most difference in the fight against trafficking. By hosting an event like the ones above, or by coming up with your own individual event to host, you can be a very real and very powerful part of the fight - and hopefully downfall - of the trafficking trade.
If you or someone you know hosts an awareness-raising event for trafficking, please let us know! Comment the experience below, or post/comment about it on our facebook page: CASTColorado. We want to spread the knowledge and efforts of you and your community, as well as the encouragement that comes from seeing the stand you can take against trafficking!
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or text 233733.
On Facebook this week, Coloradans Against Sex Trafficking asked the community to participate in a poll. This poll was designed to assist CAST in our efforts to bolster the community's efforts to fight sex trafficking in Colorado and the U.S. The community was asked which of three actions you as an individual would be most likely to take if you decided to do something to fight sex trafficking.
View the poll: TRAFFICKING ACTIVISM POLL
The overwhelming majority of responses to the poll indicated that most people would take action by hosting an awareness-raising event.
CAST hears you, and we want to help! So we have developed 3 different strategies for the average citizen to host an awareness raising event that will take the minimal time and effort while maximizing the impact of their efforts.
1. The Destination Event
What is it?: The Destination Event is when you (the coordinator/host), invite a large group of friends (via a facebook event, group text, or individual invitation) to meet out for dinner, coffee, or some other group activity that allows for conversation.
In this scenario, the host may or may not pay for the meal or coffee, but the goal is to begin a conversation among the group about sex trafficking, inform the group of the facts behind the issue.
Additionally, end the evening by having all participants save the National Human Trafficking Hotline number to their phone contacts, so that it is readily available.
Duration: 1 - 2 hours. The idea is to enjoy a meal and time with friends, while maintaining the focus of a conversation about Sex Trafficking.
Planning requirements: Only the amount of time it takes you to get the number of people you desire to attend to agree to come. As well as the destination of the event (e.g. choosing a restaurant or coffee house.
Financial requirements: The host may either offer to pay for the meal/coffee, or allow all participants to pay their own way. The goal here is to have an honest and informative conversation while still enjoying a casual and enjoyable atmosphere among friends.
2. The Group Activism Event
Duration: However long your chosen event lasts. This can be an entire day, or you can choose to attend a rally for an hour or so. Really, the time you spend is up to you and your group.
Planning requirements: You may need to sign up for the event you choose as a group or as individuals. You will also most likely need to plan with your group a bit ahead of time (picking an event, planning your meet-up, etc).
Financial requirements: Cost of the event/ticket (unless free).
3. The Intimate Event
Duration: You can make this meeting last as long as you want. Generally, we suggest an hour to an hour and a half.
Planning requirements: Getting the speaker you want or choosing the video you will watch. Preparing your home for the meeting (e.g., refreshments, seating, etc).
Financial requirements: Only the cost of refreshments. Perhaps the cost of the video if the one you pick requires it.
At CAST, we center ourselves on the belief that it is the actions of the individual and the community that make the most difference in the fight against trafficking. By hosting an event like the ones above, or by coming up with your own individual event to host, you can be a very real and very powerful part of the fight - and hopefully downfall - of the trafficking trade.
If you or someone you know hosts an awareness-raising event for trafficking, please let us know! Comment the experience below, or post/comment about it on our facebook page: CASTColorado. We want to spread the knowledge and efforts of you and your community, as well as the encouragement that comes from seeing the stand you can take against trafficking!
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or text 233733.
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