5 hard facts about human trafficking - and how can you help?

1. The real definition of human trafficking. 
Human trafficking is the act of recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing or obtaining a person for compelled labor or commercial sex acts through the use of force, fraud or coercion.

2. Types of human trafficking.
Sexual exploitation and forced labor are the most commonly identified forms of human trafficking. As well as this, more than half of the victims are female.

3. Causes of human trafficking: It’s complicated.
The causes of human trafficking are complex and interlinked and include economic, social and political factors. Poverty alone does not necessarily create vulnerability to trafficking, but when combined with other factors, these can lead to a higher risk of being trafficked. Some of those other factors include lack of access to education or jobs, family disruption or dysfunction.

4. It’s a lucrative industry.
Along with illegal arms and drug trafficking, human trafficking is one of the largest international crime industries in the world. A report from the International Labor Organization (ILO) says forced labor generates $150 billion in illegal profits per year. Two-thirds of that money comes from commercial sexual exploitation.

5. Human trafficking is a global issue.
Every continent in the world has been involved in human trafficking. Human trafficking is both a domestic and global crime, with victims trafficked within their own country, to neighboring countries, and between continents. Victims of trafficking can be of any age and any gender. Women and children are often used for sexual exploitation, while men are more likely to be used for forced labor.

What can be done?

Take Action
KitePride exists to empower survivors of human trafficking through meaningful work and economic independence. We do this by creating bags from upcycled fabrics that were headed for the trash. We do this by inspiring ocean lovers from around the world to donate their old gear to us instead of trashing it - repurposing and upcycling the kitesurfing kites, canvas, wetsuit, parachute and sail fabrics.

By supporting KitePride through the purchase of corporate or private bag orders, you are enabling economic empowerment to women and men by providing jobs that would have otherwise not been provided. It's as simple as that. By buying and wearing a KitePride bag you are an abolitionist. We invite you to look for ways to share our story, our mission, and our bags to further our reach and impact.