To fit within the legal definition of human trafficking, a situation must fit what is called the "Act, Means, Purpose" model. The Trafficking Survivors Act of 2000 defines human trafficking as "the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery." To understand the act, means, purpose model, lets break this definition down.

Today, we'd like to share a tool for anti-human trafficking advocates. This tool is SlaveryFootprint.org.

Christopher Bates was a lonely 16 year old, with a mother who worked long hours and struggled with mental health and a largely absent father. He was forced to grow up rather quickly, and as a gay teenage boy, he was often treated as an outcast. This all changed, however, when he began connecting with people online. He began to connect with people who liked him, cared about him, understood him. Or so he thought.

This month, we’re spotlighting the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center.

Purchase from organizations that do not use slave labor.

Consumers can be complicit in labor trafficking without even realizing. Sometimes even big, "name brand" corporations use trafficked labor. Because of this, it's important to do some research before pushing that "complete purchase" button online.

One of the most common misconceptions about human trafficking is that people are often trafficked by strangers. For 21-year-old Sara, a college student in Southwest Florida, it was her boyfriend.

Today, we’re spotlighting a local anti-trafficking organization: End Slavery Cincinnati!

Have you ever heard of "sex tourism?" Sex tourism is travel planned specifically for the purpose of sex, usually to a place where sex work is legal.

Today's tip for the individual advocate: Host a book club with books written by survivors!

The country of Haiti has experienced quite a year. Between political unrest and natural disasters, the country has had its share of problems. This isn't the first time Haiti has experienced such hardship, which has left around 60% of the population living under $3.30 a day. Between the already difficult circumstances and all of the recent troubles, people have been flocking to their neighboring country, the Dominican Republic in an effort to bring some stability and hope to their families.

Happy New Year from Timbelo! Our very first featured abolitionist of 2022 is Cierra Davis. Ms. Davis currently works as a Victim's Rights Advocate for the Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center.

Today’s tip for the individual advocate: support suvivor advocates!

This month, we’re spotlighting our very own Barbara Hogan!

Earlier this month, we shared the story of Carlos. Carlos was promised a wonderful job, a fresh start, and safety here in the United States. What he received when he arrived was the exact opposite. Sadly, Carlos' experience is far from rare. Today, we're sharing the story of Fainess Lipena.

There are many reasons why the human trafficking epidemic persists, and one of those reasons is that trafficking cases are notoriously difficult to prosecute. Due to the nature of this crime, trafficking situations can be hard to recognize in the first place, let alone prosecute in a court of law. So what do law enforcement and legal professionals look for to constitute human trafficking? They look to the "Act, Means, Purpose Model." This is a three pronged system for helping define trafficking.