National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, observed every January 11th, shines a spotlight on the global fight against human trafficking while honouring survivors and supporting organizations working tirelessly to combat this crime.
From raising awareness to backing ethical initiatives, there are many ways you can contribute to the fight against modern slavery and make a meaningful impact in your local area.
Scroll down to learn more and to understand how to get involved now.
What is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day?
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day (January 11th) is a day to highlight the fight against human trafficking while supporting survivors and organisations who help them.
Does the name sound familiar? Many confuse it with the similarly named “Human Trafficking Awareness Day with World Day Against Trafficking in Persons” (July 30th).
Both have similar aims and messages. However, the July day was created by the United Nations in 2014, whereas the January day was created in 2007 in the United States to raise awareness and fight the problem within the US.
Vivastreet isn’t based in the US, but National Human Trafficking Awareness Day provides an excellent opportunity to address the issue within the UK and Europe – and to explore ways you can raise awareness or support efforts in your local community.
What is trafficking?
Human trafficking is when people are brought (or moved around) to a country and forced to work or do things against their will. This is also known as modern slavery.
Traffickers use threats, violence, or false promises of a better life to make the victims work for them. This can happen to people of all genders, ages, and nationalities.
There are different types of human trafficking, such as:
- Sex trafficking
- Forced labor
- Forced marriage
- Forced crime
- Servants
Sex trafficking and sex work aren’t the same things, and this can be a dangerous misconception. Discover the difference between sex work and sex trafficking now.
How you can support the fight
When you read stories about human trafficking and survivors, it can be difficult to know where to start with help.
This is a global issue, and many of the problems start behind closed doors. But don’t assume it’s a far-away fight — this happens within the UK, and there are an estimated 100,000 victims of modern slavery and trafficking within the country.
While this may leave you feeling powerless, you can join the cause and take action. Here are ways you can help to push back against human trafficking:
1. Start learning
Before you get involved with organisations, it’s always a good idea to take a deep dive into what human trafficking is and what’s happening in your surroundings.
For example, UK-based readers should educate themselves on the basics and what’s happening in their country or nearby cities. From here, you can find local organisations and understand any specific problems in your surroundings.
Alongside local research, learn about the signs of human trafficking and take a look at global trends for a larger picture.
2. Raise awareness in your circles
Next, it’s time to start the conversation in your local circles. From your family and friends to within your wider community – or even online – the most critical next step is to speak about the problems and share what you’ve learned.
The more people know, the more people will join the conversation.
3. Think about what you consume
There are many types of human trafficking, and you might want to re-think what you’re consuming in case you’re accidentally picking brands with unethical labour practices.
For instance, it’s better to opt for food brands that are transparent about their ethical labour sourcing. Some brands have a poor track record, and if you’re not sure, it’s always best to select fair-trade products or brands that are about their process.
Food and goods aren’t the only things to consider, though.
Sex trafficking can lead to people working as escorts, porn stars, and in other sex work roles against their will.
Seek out sex workers who operate independently or use platforms that prioritize ethical practices, such as streaming pornography from websites with transparent policies.
Many modern pornography and webcam sites are upfront about their content creation processes and feature clear ethical mission statements, helping to ensure that everyone involved is participating consensually and responsibly.
4. Support anti-trafficking organisations
There are plenty of reputable organisations dedicated to fighting human trafficking, and if you want to take a more actionable role, you can support these with fundraising events, awareness campaigns, and local initiatives in your community.
Want to get started and address the stigma? We’ll discuss the best organisations to support in the UK in the next section.
Human trafficking organisations you can help
When it comes to fighting against human trafficking, it’s best to assist professional organisations with expert resources and professionals.
- Unseen – Unseen offers information, guidance, and advice for victims and survivors, the public, businesses, and statutory agencies (e.g., the NHS or police). You can also reach out to them for professional training opportunities or assist with their fundraising efforts.
- Stop The Traffik – Stop the Traffik aims to prevent human trafficking before it happens. This charity funds on donations from the public, and they use these to deploy high-impact prevention programs across the UK.
- Hope for Justice – Hope for Justice addresses human trafficking in the UK and around the world. This charity is supported by donations, and you can donate via cash or cryptocurrency on their website. You can also help by fundraising or you can use their helpful guides to learn more about the global issue.
If you want to report suspicious activity, you can send an anonymous email to the Modern Slavery Helpline (UK). This is part of the charity Unseen. You can confidentially report concerns online or at 0800 121 700.
The takeaway
We can each play a vital role in combating human trafficking, and it starts with education, ethical practices, and working with anti-trafficking organisations. Together, we can foster a safer, more informed community, empowering survivors and working towards the eradication of modern slavery.
