Do you want to report suspicious activity? Are you at risk of human trafficking? Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline.

Curriculum for Teachers & Parents

» Click to Download

Warning Signs That Someone Is Being Trafficked

Human trafficking is a problem in every state, and in every community.

If you believe that someone is being trafficked or exploited, call the The National Human Trafficking Resource Center to report your suspicions and seek help. All calls are treated anonymously:

1-888-3737-888

Here are some of the warning signs to look out for.

Common Work/Living Conditions

Lack of Control

Abnormal Behavior in Public

Poor Physical Health

AN EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: WHAT DOES FREEDOM MEAN TO YOU?

AN EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: WHAT DOES FREEDOM MEAN TO YOU?

Definitions:

Emancipation: freeing someone from the control of another.

Proclamation: A document published to the inhabitants of an area that sets forth the basis of authority and scope of activities of a commander in a given area and which defines the obligations, liabilities, duties, and rights of the population affected.

Emancipation Summary:

On Sept 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued a preliminary proclamation to free slaves. On September 22nd , the White House will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of this document. 

Dontsellbodies.org would like to create a modern day Proclamation of Freedom. Help us create a new emancipation proclamation by sending in your one liners, statements, comments, thoughts, and ideals of what freedom should look like in our country; what freedom means to you.  

Minh Dang
INDEPENDENCE DAYby Withelma “T” Ortiz Walker Pettigrew - Survivor  Most People look at Independence day & are excited about about the Fireworks, BBQ’s, & Parades, yet some don’t even realize why we initially have the holiday: Freedom. Most of you know you’re free but have never lived in a position to understand what exactly that means. My definition of Freedom is deeper than most. For SO Long my freedom was nonexistent. My every move was watched, my every conversation was observed, My clothing & food portions and options were at the mercy of another. Living in fear and terror, I had no ability to make or understand decisions & my physical self seemed to belong to everyone but me.  In My Life now, most would believe I am free, by comparison to my life before. Yes it’s true, I’ve now found the freedom to make my own decisions as & when I choose, able to speak to anyone I feel the want to, eat until I burst if I choose, learning moreso my capabilities, finding people who truly care for my best interests rather than negotiating the price they could get for me. Yet, Freedom is something I’m STILL learning to fully obtain. People don’t understand how hard it is to escape the Mental Chains around the mind that were placed upon me. Years later for me, I am still endeavoring to TRULY understand that I am not a Slave, and neither man nor money validates my worth. I am STILL distinguishing who I am from what was done to me. I am & will be something greater than what was expected. I have freedom but I am also still learning to UNDERSTAND Freedom.The Number of Youth who are Domestically trafficked and sexually exploited in our Country is More Than You can believe. Our Country deserves their talents, capabilities and Potential, which is greater than I, you, or we could ever imagine Just as much as they deserve freedom. While we set up for our annual holiday activities, remember today on this July 4th Someone somewhere is searching for their own freedom. I encourage you in your own life to think about the freedom you have, and How you can help free the enslaved Children in our country.  “Freedom means you are unobstructed in living your life as you choose. Anything less is a form of Slavery” ~Wayne Dyer Photo: Misssey Gala More on “T“‘s story via CBS.

INDEPENDENCE DAY
by Withelma “T” Ortiz Walker Pettigrew - Survivor 

Most People look at Independence day & are excited about about the Fireworks, BBQ’s, & Parades, yet some don’t even realize why we initially have the holiday: Freedom. Most of you know you’re free but have never lived in a position to understand what exactly that means.
 
My definition of Freedom is deeper than most. For SO Long my freedom was nonexistent. My every move was watched, my every conversation was observed, My clothing & food portions and options were at the mercy of another. Living in fear and terror, I had no ability to make or understand decisions & my physical self seemed to belong to everyone but me. 
 
In My Life now, most would believe I am free, by comparison to my life before. Yes it’s true, I’ve now found the freedom to make my own decisions as & when I choose, able to speak to anyone I feel the want to, eat until I burst if I choose, learning moreso my capabilities, finding people who truly care for my best interests rather than negotiating the price they could get for me.
 
Yet, Freedom is something I’m STILL learning to fully obtain. People don’t understand how hard it is to escape the Mental Chains around the mind that were placed upon me. Years later for me, I am still endeavoring to TRULY understand that I am not a Slave, and neither man nor money validates my worth. I am STILL distinguishing who I am from what was done to me. I am & will be something greater than what was expected.
 
I have freedom but I am also still learning to UNDERSTAND Freedom.The Number of Youth who are Domestically trafficked and sexually exploited in our Country is More Than You can believe. Our Country deserves their talents, capabilities and Potential, which is greater than I, you, or we could ever imagine Just as much as they deserve freedom. While we set up for our annual holiday activities, remember today on this July 4th Someone somewhere is searching for their own freedom. I encourage you in your own life to think about the freedom you have, and How you can help free the enslaved Children in our country. 
 
“Freedom means you are unobstructed in living your life as you choose. Anything less is a form of Slavery” ~Wayne Dyer

Photo: Misssey Gala

More on “T“‘s story via CBS.


THE AVERAGE VICTIM IS 12 YEARS OLD

At 17, Danielle was forced into prostitution - but she says the average age of girls being forced into sex slavery is just 12.

"It's like being raped over and over and over and over," says Danielle.

Rain is more typical of the average American victim, having entered prostitution at the age of 11.

When asked about the men whom she slept with, she is unequivocal about what they were: child abusers.

"I'm not going to label them Johns," she says.

Take action to support THE CASE ACT.


VICTIMS NOT CRIMINALS

Carissa was 12 years old when she was coerced into prostitution.

"I remember him vividly putting his arm around me and acting like he was my buddy. Within days, he was raping me violently."

With children as young as 11 or 12 being exploited for sex, there is a pressing need to differentiate between pimps and prostitutes. Nearly all prostitutes in the US are victims of child sex trafficking, and activists around the country are pushing for law enforcement to recognize them as victims - while focusing their efforts on the real criminals, the pimps and johns who make this industry possible.

The CASE Act will raise the penalties for human trafficking, forcing sex traffickers to register as sex offenders, and mandating training on human trafficking for law enforcement.

It will also funnel more funds for victim support.

Take action to support THE CASE ACT.


DISABLED CHILDREN TARGETED

When Vicki's 17-year-old daughter went missing, she feared she was dead. When she was found, Vicki discovered that she had been bought and sold for sex.

Vicki's daughter is developmentally disabled, with a mental age of just 11. Targeting of such vulnerable children is a growing trend within the trafficking industry.

Vicki is now helping to push the CASE Act (Californians Against Sexual Exploitation) - a ballot initiative that will raise penalties for trafficking and increase support for survivors.

Take action to support THE CASE ACT.

Don't Sell Bodies was conceived by Jada Pinkett Smith and Overbrook Entertainment. It was designed by The Change Creation and Goroboto.

It is dedicated to the victims and survivors of trafficking, and the heroes who are fighting to eradicate it.

Creative Team:
Jada Pinkett Smith
Chris "CJay" Jordan
Paress Salinas
Sami Grover
Jerry Stifelman
Chelsea Bay Dennis
Rebekah Miel
Tennessee Watson
Rob Biddiscombe