We may no longer see the type of “slavery” that’s recorded in history textbooks, but in this modern era, we now face a different kind of “slavery.” A new type that exists both in the light and darkness cast by our society.  

While slavery was officially abolished in the US by the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865, it has adapted and evolved to become human trafficking; wherein human beings are exploited for profit.  

By official definition --- Human Trafficking is “ the recruitment, transport, transfer, harboring or receipt of a person by such means as threat or used of force or other forms coercion, abduction, fraud or deception for the purpose of exploitation. There are core elements in the definition of trafficking which are: action of trafficking, means of trafficking, & purpose of trafficking” (United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime).

Human trafficking also includes “sexual explotiation, forced labor, involuntary servitude, forced marriage, and debt bondage.” 

Looking Deeper into Human Trafficking 

Every country in the world is affected by human trafficking, often occurring from “less developed countries to more developed countries, where people are rendered vulnerable to trafficking by virtue of poverty, conflict or other conditions “ (United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime).

Scarier still, exploitation against human beings continues to increase annually, with signs of increasing growth at a mind-boggling rate. 

Women and young children top the majority of people exploited on a daily basis. 

But looking at it through an objective lens --- Human Trafficking is a business that brings immense profit --- at the expense of the suffering of other human beings. 

An estimated 40.3 million people worldwide are continuously being trafficked with sex trafficking as one of the planet’s fastest growing criminal industries. 

Based on UNDOC’s Global Report on Trafficking; sexual exploitation is identified as the most common and documented form of white slavery. Its rate stands at 79%, followed by forced labor at 18%. Other forms of exploitation are rarely, or never, reported.

Spreading Awareness, Together 

While January 11 is declared as National Human Trafficking Awareness day, the whole month is declared as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

This started in 2011 through a Presidential Proclamation by President Barack Obama. 

If you have been supporting Women’s Peace Collection, you well know that Human Trafficking is one of the issues we feel strongly about. In standing alongside those fighting against any form of exploitation, we adhere to the belief that thorough awareness breeds and leads to action. 

With widespread awareness in Human Trafficking you can, as an individual or as an organization, help in eradicating this horrific problem and rescuing victims situated in critical areas. 

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month brings to light our collective opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Let’s choose to educate ourselves about human trafficking, as well as advocate against any form of injustice towards our fellow human beings.