January is an important month of the year to many. It's a new year and a new start. The Holidays ended and everyone is back to their routines. Whether it's going back to school or going to work, everyone is focusing on their priorities. Heck, even our Nation is going through a transition of Office and Presidency. Half our nation is upset with the change and the other half are excited. Some would say January is where change begins and sets the precedence for the rest of the year. But, did you know that January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month?
On January 11th human trafficking awareness is annually observed since 2010. With the help of non-government organizations, non-profits, and Presidential Proclamation, each January has been designated National Slavery Month.
While many efforts educate individuals on modern-day slavery, which are becoming successful, human trafficking is still being ignored by many individuals inside the U.S. as well as those in other countries. Human trafficking under sex trade and forced labor appears to be getting worse.
The United Nations office on Drugs and crime made a study that said 40% of affected countries had not registered a single conviction. In 2016, 21 million people were trafficked throughout the world for labor purposes. In a study at San Diego Universtiy, researchers found there are approximately 38,000 Spanish-speaking victims of labor trafficking. In Southeast Asia, it is estimated there are 11,700,000 victims falling to human trafficking.
In December 2016, President Obama addressed the issue before National Slavery month before his last days in office.
President Obama said, "Today, we continue the long journey toward an America and the world where liberty and equality are not reserved for some but extended to all. Across the globe, including right here at home, millions of men, women, and children are victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery. We remain committed to abolishing slavery in all its forms and draw strength from the courage and resolve of generations past."
Ironically, Obama's stance isn't mentioned in the media, just his last term in office and how outraged people are over Donald Trump becoming our next President.
Even though we should be worried about where the country and ourselves are heading, we also need to educate ourselves on the issue of modern-day slavery, especially in this rough month of January.
There are many ways to bring awareness of modern-day slavery or human trafficking. One way is to implement the study of these issues in the school systems in the U.S and encourage raising awareness and teaching individuals in underdeveloped and struggling countries about safety and social justices. Partner up with non-profits and see how they save, protect, and educate the victims they capture. Have Law enforcements educate and design plans for everyday people to learn how to protect themselves and look for the signs of slavery. Finally, social media is an awesome and amazing platform to express not only concern but ways to share information that is rarely seen on television.
