Key Takeaways:
- National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is recognized on January 11 every year in the United States.
- Human trafficking happens when someone is tricked, forced or coerced into performing acts like manual labor, which are then sold for profit.
- Children make up a large percentage of all reported cases of human trafficking.
Table of Contents
What Is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day?
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is recognized every year in the United States on January 11. The purpose of this day is to bring attention to the devastating crisis of human trafficking and start conversations on how to end it.
What Is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is when a human being is tricked, forced or coerced into performing things like manual labor, domestic servitude or commercial sex acts. These services are then sold for profit.
For example, a teenager may be approached by someone offering them lots of money for working a dangerous job, only to be paid nothing once they begin work. A woman may be approached by someone who threatens her life if she doesn’t agree to perform certain acts.
Unfortunately, human trafficking affects women, men and children around the world. And the consequences are life-altering, from overwhelming trauma and suicidal thoughts to deadly diseases like HIV.
Facts About Human Trafficking
Here are some human trafficking facts and stats you should know:
- According to the United Nations on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), every country in the world is impacted by human trafficking, “whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims.”
- Women and girls make up the majority of human trafficking victims worldwide.
- 60% of girls who become victims are trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
- As for boys, 45% are trafficked for the purpose of forced labor.
- Global estimates show that children make up 35% of all identified victims of trafficking.
Signs of Human Trafficking
Recognizing the common signs of human trafficking is a first step in helping save lives. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has outlined some key signs of human trafficking to help identify potential victims.
These indicators include:
- Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations or houses of worship?
- Has a child stopped attending school?
- Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
- Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
- Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
- Does the person have bruises in different stages of healing?
- Is the person fearful, timid or submissive?
- Does the person show signs of being denied food, water, sleep or medical care?
- Is the person often in the company of someone he or she avoids? Or someone who seems to be in control?
- Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
- Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
- Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
- Does the person have freedom of movement? Can they freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?
It’s important to note that these signs are not necessarily proof of human trafficking. And not every sign will be present in every situation. However, if you suspect a trafficking situation around you, reach out to federal law enforcement by calling 1-866-347-2423.
Children Living in Poverty Are More Vulnerable to Trafficking
Children living in poverty are especially vulnerable to violence, exploitation and abuse. These children go without basic needs like food, clean water and shelter. In some cases, children may feel they have no choice but to say yes to certain acts to fulfill these needs.
Other impoverished children may be exploited by relatives trying to provide for their families or those who simply want to take advantage for financial gain. Dire circumstances like poverty lead to desperate decisions that put children at serious risk.
Children victimized by trafficking suffer physically, mentally and emotionally. For example, they may suffer physical trauma from hazardous work environments. Or they may be deprived of food and other necessities, harming their bodies and stunting their growth.
How Compassion Fights Back Against Child Trafficking
The Bible tells us that children are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3-4). And it’s our duty to protect them. At Compassion, child protection is our greatest priority.
Each child in our child sponsorship program is surrounded by caring adults who know, love and protect them. Through the support of local churches in impoverished communities, we:
- Meet each child’s critical needs. Through child sponsorship, children receive care like malnutrition monitoring, annual checkups, education and other life-giving essentials. When their needs are met, a burden is lifted from them and their families, calming the desperation that can lead to rash decision-making.
- Teach children their rights. We ensure children know their God-given rights. We also show them how to stand up for themselves and seek help when needed.
- Train our volunteers and staff. Each staff member and volunteer receives training on trafficking. They learn how to spot the signs and what steps to take to intervene.
- Help children recover and heal. If a child is a victim, we provide them with medical care, counseling and safe community so they can heal.
How You Can Protect a Child From Human Trafficking
The best way to stop human trafficking is to prevent it from happening in the first place. By becoming a sponsor with Compassion, you can help us do that.
As a sponsor, you’ll equip a local church to care for and protect a child in need every day, not just on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Not only will they receive critical care like medical checkups, but they’ll also be surrounded by loving adults who look out for them and intervene on their behalf when they’re in any danger.
Your yes to sponsorship enables a church to follow God’s command to defend the weak and fight for the cause of the poor (Psalm 82:3). And through that effort, you can protect a child from devastating human trafficking.