Awareness - Learn More
Red Flags to Watch For
- Signs of Physical Abuse, burn marks, bruises or cuts
- Unexplained Absences from Class
- Less Appropriately dressed than before
- Promiscuous/sensualized behavior
- Overly tired in class
- Withdrawn, depressed or distracted
- Brags about making or having lots of money
- Displays expensive clothes, accessories or shoes
- New tattoo (Tattoos are often used by pimps as a way to brand victims. Tattoos of a name, symbol of money or barcode could indicate trafficking)
- Older boyfriend, new friends with a different lifestyle
- Talks about wild parties or invites other students to attend parties
- Shows signs of gang affiliation (a preference for specific colors, display gang symbols)
Who is Vulnerable?
Anyone with…
- History of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
- Family background of prostitution
- Displacement by social or natural disaster
- Part of an undocumented, stateless, or ostracized group, including LGBTQ individuals
- Unstable or inconsistent family conditions (e.g. parental absence or neglect, substance abuse, physical/sexual/emotional abuse, foster care)
- Runaway, truant, risky sexual behavior
- Poverty or economic instability
- Previous trouble with the law
- Any child or adult who needs or wants something they don’t have is vulnerable because traffickers will step in to fill that need in order to coerce someone into “the life”.
- TRAFFICKING DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE .
Who we are...
AWARENESS
Awareness is where action and empowerment begin.
ARK2Freedom is actively involved in our local community. We provide human trafficking awareness tables at school and community events. We host a pop-up store that sells items made by Human Trafficking survivors. We also host an annual art show designed to give a voice to the under-reported and rapidly growing problem of human trafficking … modern slavery. If you would like ARK2Freedom to set up an awareness table or a pop-up store at your next community event, click on the following link.
Restoration
As a ministry of Hope For The Hungry works alongside other ministries of Hope to bring individuals, victims of abuse, or survivors of trafficking to a place of abundance. When Christ restores, he always provides us with a better way, a better life, and a better future for ourselves and our loved ones. God's love must be at the heart of any restoration program. We minister to others through Bible study sessions, one on mentoring, and blessing bags. You can share love and help bring restoration into the life of others,
Keys to Freedom
At ARK2Freedom, we believe that knowledge is the key to freedom. We train groups on how to equip themselves to be free and stay free from exploitation. We teach younger students about listening to their inner voice and how to recognize safe places, safe people, and safe choices. We work with middle schools to help students identify their vulnerabilities and to help safeguard students against the schemes that exploiters use on social media. We go into local high schools and talk to students about human trafficking, healthy relationships, and setting boundaries. We also work with church groups and community organizations. Learn more about our Prevention Curricula at the following links:
Reach Through Art
Get your Keys by Requesting a Training Today.
You Can Be The One
Five Ways to Fight Exploitations
Here are five easy ways for you to get involved in helping to prevent human trafficking:
1. Get Equipped- Take the time to learn all you can about the exploitation of human beings in America. Check out the "Get Equipped" section on this site to learn how ARK2Freedrom can help you get informed.
2, Be Proactive- Know what is going on in your community. Encourage your local schools to partner with students, and nonprofit organizations, like ARK2Freedom, to include modern slavery in their curricula. Parents, teachers and students should be aware of how traffickers target children. Read more by clicking on this TEA and Human Trafficking Link .
3. Get Involved-You can start small by posting exploitation facts on your social media page or you can like ARK2Freedom's facebook page and share our facts to your friends. If you are looking for more involvement then volunteer with a prevention organization near you. Ark2Freedom is always looking for passionate volunteers. To learn more about volunteering with ARK2Freedom click on our tab labeled "Volunteer".
4. Be an Informed Consumer- Help to build a free world by discovering your slavery footprint at Slaveryfootprint.org. Use your purchase power to change the world.
Donation
5. Give- Support an Anti- Trafficking organization with a one time donation by organizing a fundraiser and donating the proceed. You can also become a monthly supporter of the organization. If you would like to support ARK2Freedom click the link below. Thank you in advance for your support.
Do You Know Someone Who Needs Help?
Here is some important information to keep you and the victim safe.
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline website, you should always have a general safety plan.
- Trust your judgment. If a situation/individual makes you uncomfortable, trust that feeling.
- Let a trusted friend or relative know if you feel like you or someone you know are in danger; if a person or situation is suspicious.
- If possible, set up safety words with someone you trust.
- One word can mean that it is safe to talk and you are alone.
- A separate word can mean you are not safe.
- It is also important to communicate what you would like done (cease communication immediately, call 9-1-1, meet somewhere to pick you up, etc.).
- Keep all important documents and identification in your possession at all times. Your partner/employer does not have the right to take or hold your documents without your permission.
- Keep important numbers on your person at all times, including the number of someone you feel safe contacting if you are in trouble.
- Make sure that you have a means of communication (cell phone or phone card), access to your bank account, and any medication that you might need with you at all times.
- If you think you might be in immediate danger or you are experiencing an emergency, contact 9-1-1 first.
- More about safety plans
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888, or text HELP or INFO to BEFREE.
National Council for Missing and Exploited Children: 1-800-THE-LOST https://report.cybertip.org/