As human trafficking becomes a mainstream issue, the amount of documentaries and films on the subject continues to increase and gain the attention of prominent figures. The latest addition to the roster is I Am Jane Doe, a harrowing documentary chronicling the battle of a group of American mothers against Backpage.com, the adult classifieds section of the Village Voice that exploited middle-school aged girls in the sex trafficking industry.

Narrated by Academy Award-nominated actress Jessica Chastain and directed by Mary Mazzio, the film’s depiction of the mothers’ lawsuits and encounters with judges and other officials as they fight on behalf of thousands of mothers is both devastating and inspiring. The film also features interviews with senators from both parties from around the country as well as lawyers fighting for justice for these young girls, as well as a slew of law enforcement officials.

The resilience of these women in the face of horrifying tragedy is not a path that many take, but their activism is necessary and powerful. This pressing examination of a rampant issue is needed now more than ever. I Am Jane Doe will donate 50% of all profits to non-profit organizations dedicated to serving the children who have survived these travesties.

When it comes to putting a face to human trafficking victims, there’s often a misconception that this hideous crime only affects young women. While they certainly make up a large percentage of the victims, the truth is that a trafficking victim can look like anyone – and the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign seeks to educate everyone on the issue of identifying trafficking in all of its forms. This unified voice of the DHS works with government, law enforcement, private organizations, and non-profits to rescue victims and bring the perpetrators of human trafficking.

The Blue Campaign seeks to raise awareness when it comes to the issue; the amount of the United States population that remains in the dark when it comes to human trafficking is baffling. The partnerships the campaign engages in are designed to educate the public on how to identify trafficking and take action by reporting these occurrences. Our law enforcement agencies benefit from the existence of The Blue Campaign thanks to their training surrounding trafficking detection and apprehending perpetrators. The crucial trait of the DHS is that they put their focus on the victims, ensuring that they are cared for with the same priority that the traffickers are investigated and prosecuted. The importance of survivors feeling safe is not overlooked by The Blue Campaign; they acknowledge that survivors can often be re-traumatized by investigations, and they seek to ensure that survivors feel stable and secure throughout the process.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection also works with the DHS to screen for human trafficking at our borders, and Immigration Services provides immigration relief to survivors that may not be citizens. As a whole, these organizations all work in harmony to combat human trafficking on multiple levels; The Blue Campaign is essentially the U.S. government’s hub for the fight against this devastating industry. They provide tools for absolutely anyone to become educated on this crucial issue so that they can get closer to achieving their mission – to end human trafficking. If you’re in the dark on the topic of trafficking and the industry behind it, their website is the best place to start. The National Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting BeFree (233733), and suspected human trafficking can be reported by calling 1-866-347-2423.

Around the world, human trafficking continues to run rampant; 20.9 million individuals are enslaved internationally, and the number is in the hundreds of thousands in the United States. This horrifying industry, made up mostly of women and children, is more lucrative than ever for the criminals who traffic people, and they abduct and recruit their victims online, at schools, on streets, you name it – they find a way. Many of these slaves are trafficked on streets, at truck stops, in restaurants, and in and out of homes. Luckily, there is a group full of watchful eyes willing to fight the battle taking place on our streets.

Truckers Against Trafficking is a non-profit organization that seeks to educate members of the trucking and travel plaza industries to combat sex trafficking on the front lines. Once they are educated, these individuals are equipped and empowered to take their newfound awareness to the highways and partner with law enforcement to ensure that as many victims as possible are recovered. Truckers Against Trafficking ensures that the trucking industry and related areas are saturated with materials related to their organization so that anyone can join in the fight, and utilizes the resources of law enforcement and their partners to thoroughly investigate these crimes and rescue victims. They also document industry movement and legislative victories on their website, and offer a safe place for members of TAT to share their experiences.

TAT is sponsored by well-known, respected corporations like Volvo, UPS, Bridgestone, and Ryder, among a slew of others, and partners with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to bring as many survivors home as they can. Any driver can become certified through their program so that they learn to recognize the traits of this heinous crime and prevent it from continuing to spread. The incredible impact that TAT continues to have on this appaulling industry has set an example for other non-profits fighting the same battle. While many organizations are making strides on the policy side of things, TAT’s foot soldiers – or wheel soldiers, rather – on the ground are more crucial than ever. For more information, visit the Truckers Against Trafficking website, and if you suspect trafficking may be occurring, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.