NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY

Today, January 11, 2025 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a time to raise awareness and educate the public on identifying and preventing this crime.

While January is recognized as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, local advocates urge the public to stay vigilant and informed year-round.

“Don’t just pick a month or a day. Make sure that you are aware and know the signs all year long,” said Kristi Hayes. Hayes is the Regional Director of Unbound Now, a nonprofit organization focused on human trafficking prevention, awareness, and training.

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day Highlights Ongoing Fight Against Modern-Day Slavery

Unbound Now works alongside schools, counselors, law enforcement, and other community organizations to provide resources and training to help prevent trafficking. According to Hayes, awareness is key to protecting vulnerable individuals.

She emphasized that human trafficking is not just a far-off issue, but a local one impacting communities everywhere.

“We have worked with 154 individuals here in our city and in McLennan County, and they are part of our community,” Hayes said. “It’s important to recognize that trafficking isn’t just something that happens ‘over there.’ It happens here, too.”

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11 raises awareness of the persistent issue of human trafficking. Though the entire month of January has already been recognized as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, this day is specifically dedicated to awareness and prevention of the illegal practice. This holiday is also separate from the World Day Against Trafficking Persons, as established by the United Nations. Since the Senate established this day of observance in 2007, it has drawn massive public support from individual donations to government-organized events. The horrific injustice of human trafficking can affect people of any race and background, and on this day we are all called to fight human trafficking wherever it exists.

Showing Support

To show support for victims of human trafficking, local organizations are encouraging individuals to participate in National Human Trafficking Awareness Day by wearing blue and posting on social media with the hashtag #WearBlueDay.

Advocates also remind the public that if they suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, they should call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or report an emergency to law enforcement by calling 911.

As the fight to end human trafficking continues, organizers urge everyone to take a moment to reflect on the lives impacted by this pervasive issue and consider how they can help raise awareness and support efforts to end trafficking.

5 Important Facts About National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

  1. There are many forms of exploitation

    Approximately 80% of human trafficking today involves sexual exploitation, while 19% involves labor exploitation.

  2. There is a staggering number of enslaved people today

    Right now, there are approximately 20 to 40 million slaves in the world.

  3. Human trafficking is extremely profitable

    While $15.5 billion generated in industrialized countries from slave trading is already horrifying, the industry reportedly generates a profit of $32 billion yearly, worldwide.

  4. Trafficking disproportionately affects women

    Though men can and are trafficked and exploited for labor, it is far more common for women to be trafficked, as they are far more often exploited for sexual reasons.

  5. Finding trafficking red flags can save lives

    Some signs that a teen might be involved in human trafficking include but aren’t limited to: not coming home at night, new tattoos (of cherries, roses, dollar signs, or crowns), excessive crying, depression, exhaustion, secrecy, having older significant others, having many unknown adults on social media, STIs/STDs, or no longer engaging in regular social behaviors.

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