National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Another name for the month is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The color blue represents National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Wear a blue enamel awareness ribbon pin, blue fabric ribbon pin, or a blue silicone awareness wristband bracelet to recognize this important awareness month.

January was first declared as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in 2010. Since then, January has been a time to acknowledge those experiencing enslavement and those who have escaped.

Slavery is not a thing of the past. In fact, human traffickers generate hundreds of billions of dollars in profits. Further, they trap millions of people in horrific situations around the world. For example, traffickers use violence, threats, deception, debt bondage, and other manipulative tactics to force people to engage in commercial sex or to provide labor or services against their will.

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Month is dedicated to raising awareness about different forms of human trafficking. This includes ways to support trafficking survivors, and educating the community. Therefore, people become aware of potential trafficking situations and can report them to their local law enforcement.

Human trafficking is a largely hidden crime involving one or more people exploiting another person for labor, services, or commercial sex. Moreover, traffickers use force or violence, fraud or false promises, or coercion and manipulation. In addition, they lure victims and exploit them through physical, financial, or psychological means. There is no profile of a trafficked person. In other words, trafficking affects people from all economic classes, racial and ethnic identities, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Both adults and children can be trafficked. However, human trafficking disproportionately impacts Native American, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Resources

When anything of value is exchanged for sex with a person under 18, it constitutes commercial sexual abuse of a minor. Lastly, on behalf of these young people and individuals worldwide, we encourage you to educate yourself and increase awareness of exploitation and trafficking in your communities. Work to improve systems that provide services for youth at risk. Get started with these resources:

• Understanding Human Trafficking
• 20 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking
• Spot the Signs of Human Trafficking
• The U.S. Government’s Response to Combating Human Trafficking
• Human Trafficking Action Research Toolkit
• Washington Trafficking Help
• Combating Human Trafficking in Native Communities

Hashtags to Raise Awareness

Additionally, Tuesday, Jan. 11, is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Join community members across the nation to raise awareness and show support by wearing the color blue on this day. This is the color for human trafficking prevention. You can also spread awareness on social media by posting a photo of you wearing blue or sharing resources. Be sure to use the hashtags #wearblueday, #endhumantrafficking, and #DCYFsupports.

Through National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we must each commit and recommit to do our part to prevent human trafficking through education and awareness and protect survivors through safe response.

Need Help?

(U.S.) 1 (888) 373-7888
National Human Trafficking Hotline
SMS: 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”)
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages
Website: humantraffickinghotline.org

(Image: Adobe Stock)