Mayor McGinn/Flickr. (CC 2.0 by)
Human trafficking is the issue of a large number of awareness campaigns. Indeed, campaigns to increase ‘awareness’ are probably the most frequently performed activity in anti-trafficking interventions. A recent study on trafficking prevention initiatives found that out of 43 reviewed projects, 38 included “information and awareness raising” as a goal. In contrast, capacity building was an issue for 22 projects; activities in research and education programmes for 17 projects; and victim assistance and support for just six projects.
A full spectrum of campaigns
Campaigns targeting global audiences are usually undertaken by alliances of international actors, while actors at the local level usually build awareness raising into their projects as one aspect of their overall efforts. Campaigners tackle different topics. Some aim for general awareness (UN-GIFT, Blue Heart, Stop the Traffik, Blue Blindfold), while others focus on specific issues, such as labour exploitation (Used in Europe); sexual exploitation (Responsible Client, Report Anonymously, Stop Sex Trafficking, Thorn); or the forced begging of children (VICTOR, Open Your Eyes). Additionally, campaigns lobbying for the prohibition and suppression of prostitution (For Fair Sex – Against Trafficking, Turn off the Redlight) often cast themselves as anti-trafficking initiatives. In contrast, campaigns directly addressing the probable ‘victims’ of trafficking in order to inform them of their rights and opportunities for assistance are rare.
