National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is held on January 11 every year to raise awareness about the persistent problem of human trafficking. Although the whole of January has been recognized as National Anti-Slavery and Trafficking Month, the day is specifically dedicated to raising awareness and preventing crime. This holiday is also different from the World Day against Trafficking in Persons established by the United Nations. Since the Senate established this anniversary in 2007, it has garnered massive public support from private donations to government-organized events. The terrible injustice of human trafficking can affect people of any race and background, and on this day we are all called to fight trafficking wherever it occurs. exist.

History of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

According to Unitas, human trafficking is the exploitation of others for labor, domestic help or commercial sex by force, fraud or coercion. It is also the act of enslaving or exploiting others in a bad faith. Unfortunately, slavery in some form has existed for hundreds of years - and persists to this day, even though many people are unaware of this fact.

Most people are familiar with the slave trade of the 1400s. Organized by Europeans, the slave trade captured and enslaved millions of Africans from across the continent eventually sell them for labor or sexual exploitation. This custom flourished in countries such as Spain, the United States, the Netherlands, France, Sweden and developing Denmark for many centuries.

Until the late 1700s and 1800s that government made the claim the transatlantic slave trade was illegal, for example Great Britain in 1807 and the United States following in 1820. Slavery became a crime punishable by death, but many years passed before greater freedom was achieved. The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 largely ended slavery.

After recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as immoral, governments began to discuss "white slavery", the term used at the time to refer to sex trafficking. 1904 saw the ratification of the International Agreement for the Suppression of White Slaves, written into law by European monarchs, and 12 countries signed the International Convention for the Prohibition of the Circulation of White Slaves. The League of Nations quickly changed its name from "white slavery" to "trafficking0 in women and children".

The end of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first century saw the achievements of the anti-trafficking movement. In 2000, modern-day slavery is addressed in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, and become the first federal law. In 2007, the U.S. Senate approved a resolution establishing January 11 as National Trafficking Awareness Day. In 2010, President Obama spent the entire month of January raising awareness and combating human trafficking. Today, more than 50 organizations have been established globally to combat this illegal practice, and their awareness is higher than ever.

Facts about Human Trafficking

Every nations in the world is affected by human trafficking. Trafficking is often from less developed countries to more developed countries.

Most human trafficking is national or regional, but long-distance trafficking still occurs.

Europe is a place with most victims from the widest range of destinations, while victims from Asia are trafficked to the widest range of destinations.

Today, sexual exploitation (e.g., sex trafficking) is the most common form of human trafficking.

A disproportionate number of women participate in human trafficking as both victims and perpetrators.

People of the same nationality as their victims carry out most human trafficking.

How to hold National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Firstly, let donate to anti-slavery organizations. Any donation helps and what anti-slavery groups can do with your money is certainly significant. Some organizations consider donating such as Agape International Missions, the Coalition against Trafficking in Women, and Polaris.

Moreover, any anti-slavery organization in your community, a club on your campus, or a professional establishment nearby would be grateful for your help.

Nowadays, there are a lot of misconceptions about human trafficking so educate and help others do the same. Books and documentaries can shed light on many aspects of modern slavery, including Kevin Bales' Understanding Global Slavery and A Crime So Monstrous: Facing Slavery modern times" by Benjamin Skinner. We also recommend taking a community training course, starting an anti-trafficking resource library, or organizing an informational documentary or book club.