How Creativity Can Combat Human Trafficking

Since 2010, January has been dubbed National Human Trafficking Prevention Month to raise awareness, foster education, and prevent this heinous crime from occurring. Unfortunately, this is still a prevalent issue in the US.

When examining human trafficking rates by state in 2022, World Population Review notes that California has the highest number of human trafficking cases (1,334) while Rhode Island has the lowest (10). However, Mississippi boasts the highest rate of human trafficking per 100,000 people (6.32). To think this is a massive epidemic today is as shocking as it is infuriating and heartbreaking.

January is also International Creativity Month. I love artwork that conveys a strong message, and organizations like ArtWorks for Freedom are utilizing creativity to expose the truth about modern-day slavery. This global initiative’s mission is to use “the transformative power of art to inspire action to end human trafficking.” ArtWorks is a grassroots org with a worldwide reach, having implemented anti-trafficking initiatives in the US, Europe, and Asia.

So, if we can use art to combat human trafficking, how else can creativity be used to raise public consciousness and prevention?

Design

Another organization, Design Against Trafficking, endeavors to use design as a “medium for social justice.” There’s a whole collection of art, photography, apparel, and more resources shared on a digital platform that educators, design students, and advocates can use to bring human trafficking into the widespread conversation.

Jewelry and Apparel

New Creation VA partners with organizations globally to ensure that those vulnerable to or rescued from human trafficking are given “dignified work.” On their website, you can purchase everything from jewelry, apparel, pantry items, and books, which are survivor-made fair-trade goods, with 100% of the profits benefitting the fight against human trafficking.

Accessories

Malia Designs is a fair-trade site selling accessories from “small social enterprises that employ talented artisans in Cambodia.” It was initially formed to increase economic growth for Cambodian women while supporting organizations that combat human trafficking in Southeast Asia. Malia Designs also helps human trafficking survivors find safe employment.

Music

Music is probably the most common creative tool for raising public consciousness on this list. Plenty of artists have created music over the years that’s geared toward fighting human trafficking, whether through simple awareness or donating album sales to organizations equipped for human trafficking prevention.

In 2017, the compilation album Music to Inspire – Artists United Against Human Trafficking was released, featuring 60 songs and a special message from President Jimmy Carter, and that’s just one of potentially hundreds.

Creativity can be a powerful tool for positive social change. Sometimes, all it takes is one moving piece of art to kickstart meaningful conversation that morphs into purposeful action. How will you harness your creativity to contribute to the fight against human trafficking?

Photo credits

Union Station Redevelopment Corporation

Photo: Jennifer Rouse, USRC Program Assistant
Artists: Nicole Schulman & Edwin Vazquez

See the show that the above pieces are from here.