What is Human Trafficking Awareness Day?
Every year, the United States observes National Human Trafficking Awareness Day to honor victims of human trafficking and spread awareness. This year is no exception. In honor of this important day, we want to take the time to share the history of this important day and ways that advocates can make a change.
Human Trafficking Awareness Day was signed into posterity by the U.S. Senate in efforts to draw attention to and assist in the prevention of the nationwide and global human trafficking crisis. Authored by Calif. Sen. Diane Feinstein and co-sponsored by Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Barack Obama (D-IL) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) on June 22, 2007, the S. Con. Resolution 40 of the 110th Congress aimed to “support the goals and ideals of observing the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness on Jan. 11 of each year to raise awareness of and opposition to human trafficking”. In fact, President Obama later went on to extend the resolution and declare the entire month of January National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
The resolution recognizes all forms of human trafficking, including “early or forced marriage, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, labor obtained through debt bondage, involuntary servitude, slavery, and slavery by descent.” It also seeks to address the causes of human trafficking, the need for nationwide education and awareness, tactics used by perpetrators to control their victims and the need for informed policymakers and law enforcement officials to carry out U.S. anti-trafficking laws. The resolution received unanimous bipartisan support, and ever since, we have nationally observed Jan.11 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Thirteen years later, nationwide awareness has grown more widespread than ever before as millions of Americans find ways to honor and support this national day of observance. The most important goal of this day is to spread awareness: we encourage you to share the facts about human trafficking with people in your community. With that being said, there is a myriad of ways that individuals can get the word out and stand in solidarity with victims of human trafficking.
Donate your time.
This Human Trafficking Awareness Day, commit to volunteering for an anti-human trafficking organization. You can find a list of nonprofits and agencies that can always use extra help on our website. By donating your time, you support those who have chosen a career in advocacy and provide extra support for skilled organizations dedicated to uplifting and protecting victims and survivors.
Donate your social capital.
Yes—we want you to flood your social media accounts with content! Get creative on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, you name it. Advocates can share information and statistics about human trafficking, organizations to research, survivor stories or ways to donate. Many organizations will also provide you with infographics or social media challenges to freshen up your feed! The U.S. Department of Defense sponsors a #wearblueday in order to spread awareness on social media- check it out!
Donate your money.
On Human Trafficking Awareness Day, all anti-trafficking organizations (Dressember included) will be taking donations to resource their efforts. If you are in a financial situation where donating your money is a possibility, consider adding your funds to the cause. Navigate to the Dressember donation page to donate, become a Dressember advocate and learn about how your funds support victims through trauma therapy, legal fees and more.
Donate your conversations.
On this day, make a concentrated effort to spread awareness with members of your community. If you’re a student, ask your teacher for five minutes of time to educate your classmates! If you’re part of the workforce, consider sending an informational email to your coworkers! Other options include calling family members, hosting a Zoom informational happy hour to educate your friends across the country or bringing it up over dinner with your quarantine pod.
Donate your future.
As important as this day is, the work continues to be done every single day of the year. The human trafficking crisis is an overwhelming one, but with enough people dedicated to making a change, we can end human trafficking in our lifetime. Find a way to continue volunteering, donating and educating your community, year after year. The change starts with you.
About the Author
Millie Vieira is pursuing a degree in International Politics and Dispute Resolution from the sleepy surf town of Malibu, California. Whether she’s practicing foreign languages (she is currently working to master Spanish, French, and Portuguese), keeping up with international politics, or devouring novels by foreign authors, she is always searching for ways to broaden her horizons. During her free time, you can find Millie exploring California’s national and state parks, going to concerts in Los Angeles, and studying for the LSAT.