As part of the City of Philadelphia’s Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget, City Council approved $500,000 in funding to launch “Red Card Philly,” a comprehensive, multilingual awareness campaign to combat human trafficking across the city. This specific request was made by Councilmember Nina Ahmad (At-Large).
The “Red Card Philly” campaign will use a wide range of tools—including multilingual posters, public service announcements, and social media outreach—to educate residents and visitors on how to identify the signs of trafficking and how to safely report suspected cases. The campaign aims to build citywide awareness and foster a culture of vigilance and prevention.
“As we prepare for 2026, increasing our anti-trafficking efforts around major events will be essential to raising awareness and driving meaningful action to combat this heinous crime,” said Councilmember Ahmad. “For the first time in our city’s history, we are making a significant investment to address the crisis of human trafficking. Through ‘Red Card Philly,’ we’re calling on every neighborhood, every resident, and every visitor to stand together against exploitation.”
The campaign is designed with accessibility and cultural competency in mind, with materials and programming available in multiple languages and distributed through channels that reach diverse communities throughout the city. Special emphasis will be placed on outreach in transportation hubs, hospitality sectors, and areas with high foot traffic.
This initiative reflects Philadelphia’s ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, supporting survivors, and investing in community-based public safety strategies.
