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.
During this month, we recognize 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.
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.
Presidential proclamations not only raise the profile of the issue, but are also snapshots of global trends, challenges, and significant U.S. anti-trafficking policy achievements. Some highlights include:
- In 2012, the issuance of the Executive Order ‘Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contracts’
- In 2016, the first convening of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking
- In 2017, the State Department’s launch of its largest anti-trafficking program, the Program to End Modern Slavery
- In 2021, the release of the updated National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking
Human trafficking includes both forced labor and sex trafficking. It not only represents a threat to international peace and security but also undermines the rule of law, robs millions of their dignity and freedom, enriches transnational criminals and terrorists, and threatens public safety and national security everywhere.
There are estimated to be more than 27.6 million people — adults and children — subjected to human trafficking around the world, including in the US. Traffickers often take advantage of instability caused by natural disasters, conflict, or a pandemic to exploit others.
Like the US, many countries around the world have worked to implement the “3P” paradigm of preventing the crime, protecting victims, and prosecuting traffickers, through the passage and implementation of national anti-trafficking laws. Today, there are 178 parties to the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons. Only 10 of the 188 countries and territories assessed in the Department of State’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report have yet to adhere to this international standard to ensure their laws criminalize all forms of human trafficking and take concerted steps to prevent human trafficking, protect all victims, and cooperate internationally to combat this global crime.
Despite the nearly worldwide adoption of international and domestic norms to address and prevent human trafficking, we continue to witness traffickers exploit people in the US and around the world. But everyone has the power to help make a difference. Every Presidential proclamation for January ends with a call to action for all Americans to recognize the vital role everyone can play in combating all forms of human trafficking.
Resources
- Understanding Human Trafficking
- 20 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking
- The U.S. Government’s Response to Combating Human Trafficking
- Human Trafficking Hotlines
- U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking Annual Report
Warning signs for professionals and the public
Since human trafficking is often a crime that is hidden in plain sight, it is important to be aware of its warning signs. Some indications that a person may be a victim of human trafficking include (especially in the case of women and children):
- Appearing malnourished
- Showing signs of physical injuries and abuse
- Avoiding eye contact, social interaction, and authority figures/law enforcement
- Seeming to adhere to scripted or rehearsed responses in social interaction
- Lacking official identification documents
- Appearing destitute/lacking personal possessions
- Working excessively long hours
- Living at their place of employment
- Checking into hotels/motels with older males, and referring to those males as boyfriend or “daddy,” which is often street slang for pimp
- Poor physical or dental health
- Tattoos/ branding on the neck and/or lower back
- Untreated sexually transmitted diseases
- Small children serving in a family restaurant
- Security measures that appear to keep people inside an establishment - barbed wire inside of a fence, bars covering the insides of windows
- Not allowing people to go into public alone or speak for themselves