Washington Launches First-Ever Statewide Anti-Human Trafficking Campaign
The campaign, called Not Alone, is also first survivor-led program to raise awareness of current trafficking victims
SEATTLE – In observance of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, cities, counties, transit authorities, airports and seaports across Washington and beyond are combining forces to prevent human trafficking with the Not Alone campaign, our first-ever statewide initiative to encourage victims of human trafficking to seek help.
Not Alone was conceived and launched in Washington state by Rebekah Covington, a survivor of human trafficking and Corporate Relations Manager at BEST (Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking), to raise awareness about human trafficking and help victims and survivors self-identify and get connected with services by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or texting 233733 (BEFREE).
“When people are trafficked, they feel isolated and with an inability to leave the situation,” explained Covington. “To create this campaign, we prioritized input from people with the lived experienced of trafficking. People experiencing trafficking will see signs that speak directly to them to give them hope that they are not alone there is a way out of whatever terrible situation they are in.”
About BEST (Businesses Ending Slavery & Trafficking) BEST is a Seattle-based nonprofit that educates employers to prevent human trafficking and creates pathways to employment for survivors. Founded in 2012, BEST has provided training for more than 11,000 employers in the hotel, aviation, maritime, and transportation industries to recognize and respond to potential cases of human trafficking at their workplaces. To learn more, visit the BEST website. About the Port of Seattle Founded in 1911 by a vote of the people as a special purpose government, the Port of Seattle’s mission is to promote economic opportunities and quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce, and job creation in an equitable, accountable, and environmentally responsible manner. The Port owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Fishermen’s Terminal — home of the North Pacific fishing fleet — and public marinas. The Port also owns two cruise ship terminals, a grain terminal, real estate assets, and marine cargo terminals through its partnership in the Northwest Seaport Alliance. Port operations help support nearly 200,000 jobs and $7 billion in wages throughout the region. Over the next 15 years, the port’s “Century Agenda” seeks to create an additional 100,000 jobs through economic growth while becoming the nation’s leading green and energy-efficient port. Learn more at the Port of Seattle
