With thanks to Daren.
Posted on National Today: “At National Today, we believe every day is special. Or sticky. Or shocking. Or meaningful.”
https://nationaltoday.com/national-human-trafficking-awareness-day/
History Timeline FAQs Importance Observe
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 be aware of human trafficking wherever it exists.
History of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Human trafficking, according to Unitas, is the exploitation of another person for labor, domestic servitude, or commercial sexual activity by force, fraud, or coercion.
It is also the act of enslaving or exploiting unwilling other people. Unfortunately, slavery in some form has existed for hundreds of years – and persistently exists today, though many are unaware of this fact.
Most are familiar with the slave trade of the 1400s and beyond. Instituted by Europeans, the slave trade captured and held in bondage millions of Africans from across the continent, eventually selling them for labor or sexual exploitation.
This practice flourished in countries like Spain, the growing United States, Holland, France, Sweden, and Denmark for centuries.
It was not until the late 1700s and 1800s that governments began to declare the Transatlantic slave trade illegal, with Great Britain setting the example in 1807 and the United States following in 1820 – the slave trade became a crime punishable by death, but many years passed before more widespread freedom was achieved.
The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 largely put an end to slavery, and the Thirteenth Amendment of 1866 abolished it.
It was after the recognition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade as immoral that governments began to discuss “white slavery,” the term used at the time for sexual human trafficking.
1904 saw the passage of the International Agreement for the Suppression of the White Slave Traffic, written into law by European monarchs, and 12 countries signed the International Convention for the Suppression of the White Slave Traffic.
The League of Nations soon changed the name from “white slavery” to “traffic in women and children.”
The late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries saw gains for the movement against human trafficking.
In 2000, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act addressed modern-day slavery, becoming the first federal law to do so.
The American charity group Free The Slaves, part of Anti-Slavery International, was also formed. In 2007, the United States Senate ratified the resolution establishing January 11th as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
In 2010, President Obama dedicated the entire month of January to awareness and prevention of human trafficking.
Today, there are over 50 established organizations that globally combat this illegal practice, and more awareness has been raised than ever before.
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day timeline
2007
The Senate Resolution is Passed
In 2007, the Senate formally named January 11th as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. This was followed by a proclamation by President Obama on January 4, 2010, naming January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
2000
Free The Slaves Established
This American charity organization, which was launched in 2000, highlights the effects of human trafficking and has been influential in the movement to end the practice.
1910
International Convention for the Suppression of White Slave Trade Signed
The white slave trade, or human trafficking for sexual purposes, was legally ended by 13 countries in 1910 with the signing of this document; however, human trafficking still very much exists today.
1807
Great Britain Ends the Transatlantic Slave Trade
After Britain made the Transatlantic Slave Trade in 1807, The United States followed suit in both 1820 and 1865.
1200-1600
Slavery’s Dangerous Roots
Though many people were trafficked as a normal way of life in 1200, it wasn’t until 1400 that the European slave trade began to exist.
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day FAQs
What are some organizations dedicated to ending human trafficking that I can support?
According to Charity Navigator, the top five charities dedicated to ending human trafficking are:
- Love146
- Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking
- Polaris
- Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
- Agape International Missions
Where can resources about human trafficking be found?
How to Observe National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Anti-Slavery Organizations to Donate to:
- Agape International Missions
- Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
- Polaris
Volunteer to End Human Trafficking
Any anti-slavery organization in your community, a club on your campus, or professional establishment nearby would be grateful for your help.
Endslaverynow.org offers an Antislavery Directory to help you find organizations that you can donate your time to if purse strings are tight.
Foster Education on Human Trafficking
Books and documentaries can illuminate many aspects of modern slavery, including “Understanding Global Slavery” by Kevin Bales and “A Crime So Monstrous: Face-to-Face with Modern-Day Slavery” by Benjamin Skinner.
- Attend a community training
- Start a library of anti-trafficking resources
- Host a screening or book club of informational material.
5 Facts About National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
- There are many forms of exploitation
- Approximately 80% of human trafficking today involves sexual exploitation, 19% involves labor exploitation
- There are approximately 20 to 40 million slaves in the world
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.
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.
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
- STI’s/STD’s
- no longer engaging in regular social behaviors
Why National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is Important
Knowing the Signs Can Save Lives
Being able to suspect or identify a victim or perpetrator of human trafficking can save lives.
The industry victimizes not only the millions of people directly involved, but their families, friends, and loved ones.
There are many resources to help you spot and stop human trafficking – for a good list of potential red flags, check out the Unitas website on spotting human trafficking.
It is a Growing Global Problem
It’s hard to wrap the mind around the idea that over 30 million people are likely enslaved as you read this – but even harder to consider that the number is growing.
This lucrative illegal industry ruthlessly recruits and kidnaps more at-risk individuals and victimizes them for personal and financial gain, so the sooner awareness can be spread the sooner we can combat the issue.
It Can Affect Anyone
Many think of slavery as a problem of the distant past or of distant countries, but it exists across all continents and ages.
Though some groups, like women and individuals from poorer areas, are more at risk, the reality is that human trafficking can affect anyone – we must all work together to eliminate the risks we all face.
In 2024, Anaida Poilievre, wife of Pierre Poilievre,
leader of the Conservative Party in Canada,
launched Their Stories Matter,
a social media initiative
to bring awareness to human trafficking.
Use the Violet Flame (1)
for help with the elimination
of human trafficking on Gaia.
I Am so sorry
Please forgive me
I Love You
Thank You
The Universal Law of Elimination
is that deep forgiveness of self
knowing connection to Source
for this life and past lives.
Jesus didn’t forgive the Romans. (2)
He keyed into flow from Source,
our Infinitely Forgiving Mother
and the Eternal Forgiveness of the Father.
We are sparks of Source.
This Law is having deep respect for the self,
for volunteering to come on this long adventure,
to be involved in the good, the bad and the ugly,
to be at peace with the self,
and therefore create peace on Gaia.
As Within So Without
As we come to peace within
we reach out to create community,
we raise everyone up.
Footnotes
(1) The Violet Flame is the essence of the unknowable at that point of conjunction and Love creation with the Mother, and a way for us to know the Love of the Father, as well. ~St. Germaine
That perfect balance of the Mother’s Energy and the Knowing of the Father.
(2) “Jesus in the Infinite Flow of Forgiving from Source,” January 6th, 2025, https://goldenageofgaia.com/2025/01/06/jesus-in-the-infinite-flow-of-forgiving-from-source/
Jesus says he didn’t forgive the ones who crucified him:
You know… they have quoted me in many and various ways and said that I forgave those who crucified me, who tortured me… who really embarrassed me!
But I didn’t.
I keyed into the Divine Forgiveness.
When I said, “Father, forgive them” I aligned myself in that Infinite forgiving — that it didn’t matter what was happening — I was free.”