January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash
Via the US Department of State:
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Every year since 2010, the President has dedicated the month to raise awareness about human trafficking and to educate the public about how to identify and prevent this crime. The U.S. Department of State raises awareness of human trafficking domestically and abroad, through U.S. embassies and consulates.
During this month, we celebrate the efforts of foreign governments, international organizations, anti-trafficking entities, law enforcement officials, survivor advocates, communities of faith, businesses, and private citizens all around the world to raise awareness about human trafficking.
The DoS goes on to say that, “More than 20 years ago, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) enshrined the United States’ commitment to combating human trafficking domestically and internationally. In 2010, by presidential proclamation, President Obama declared January ‘National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month’ and every year since, each president has followed this tradition.”
This Thursday, January 11, marks the anniversary of the 2010 Presidential proclamation, and is designated as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Learn
Did you know…?
According to Speak Up NC, North Carolina “…typically ranks in the top 10 states for reports of human trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.” And (according to the NC Human Trafficking Commission Fact Sheet) with the exception of the 2020 shutdowns, charges for human trafficking, involuntary servitude, and sexual servitude charges have been trending upward over the past 5 years.
Human trafficking includes both sex trafficking and forced labor, and around the world nearly 30 million people - adults and children - are estimated to be subject to human trafficking. As President Biden’s 2023 reaffirmation of this proclamation notes, “…human trafficking disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minorities, women and girls, LGBTQI+ individuals, vulnerable migrants, and other historically marginalized and underserved communities,” and thus, “our mission to combat human trafficking must always be connected to our broader efforts to advance equity and justice across our society.”
In North Carolina, Chief Justice Paul Newby has proclaimed January 2024 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month for the Judicial Branch, as well, citing the success of the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission (NCHTC) in addressing this issue. “We set aside this month to help North Carolinians recognize and prevent the cruel crimes involved in human trafficking in our state,” said Chief Justice Newby. “Collaboration across state and local government and public awareness can help put an end to human trafficking in North Carolina.”
To learn more about human trafficking, check out the following resources, via the Department of State:
For a broad overview of human trafficking, download the “Understanding Human Trafficking” Fact Sheet.
For a deeper dive into the data, explore the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking Annual Report 2021.
To learn more about what the government is doing about human trafficking, visit the President’s Interagency Task Force web page.
To learn more about what’s happening at the state level, as well as to access trainings, toolkits and other resources, visit the NC Human Trafficking Commission website.
To learn more about local efforts, visit the Buncombe County Human Trafficking Coalition
Act
Are you or is someone you know a victim or at risk of becoming a victim of human trafficking?
If you are in the United States and believe someone may be a victim of human trafficking, call the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or Text "BE FREE" to 233733, or report an emergency to law enforcement by calling 911. Trafficking victims, whether or not U.S. citizens, are eligible for services and immigration assistance.
Want to learn about other ways you can help eliminate human trafficking?
The Administration for Children and Families - ACF offers Ten Things You Can Do To Help Stop Human Trafficking.
The Department of State also has a 20 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking tip list.
Engage
Learn how you can get involved in efforts to end human trafficking via the resources below:
On the web: Search the #Partner2Prevent hashtag to find social media posts focused on this effort.
In North Carolina: Visit the NC Stop Human Trafficking or Speak Up NC websites to learn more about work being done to eliminate human trafficking in our state.
In WNC: OurVOICE serves all individuals in Buncombe County affected by sexual assault and abuse, through counseling, advocacy and education.
You can listen to the WNC HPI’s interview with Rita Sneider-Cotter, Executive Director of OurVOICE in our “Sexual Violence & Human Trafficking - WNC Health Policy Podcast Ep. 3”
Project WEST NC, a project of OurVoice, “is working to bring awareness to the hidden issue of trafficking in Western North Carolina and confront its underlying causes.“
