January: National Human Trafficking Prevention Month - From Awareness to Meaningful Action
Blog written by Dr. Sandra Morgan and Coauthor, Kimberly McOwen Yim, “Ending Human Trafficking a Handbook of Strategies for the Church Today.”
January marks National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a critical time to move beyond simply acknowledging human trafficking as a horrific problem and focus on collective efforts to prevent this pervasive global and local crime. The United States solidified its commitment to combating trafficking with the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) in 2000. In 2010, President Obama declared January as “National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month,” a tradition continued by every Presidential administration since. The Global Center for Women and Justice’s own Executive Director, Dr. Sandie Morgan, was appointed to a 2-year term to serve as co-chair of the U.S. Public Private Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking in 2019-2020. In 2017, the State Department launched the Program to End Modern Slavery, and in 2021, the updated Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking was released. These milestones highlight the importance of sustained, collaborative efforts, but government initiatives alone are not enough. Ending human trafficking requires every individual to be informed, empowered, and actively engaged.
Awareness alone is insufficient. We must transform outrage and sorrow into intentional, purposeful action to bring about real change. Being overwhelmed by the scale of the issue is natural – I remember the mix of emotions I experienced when I first learned about it. However, the lasting impact comes from channeling those emotions into thoughtful responses that contribute to prevention.
Steps to Meaningful Action
1. Respond Thoughtfully. Don’t merely react. Avoid impulsive reactions driven by anger, outrage, or sadness. Focus on sustainable actions that create lasting change.
2. Educate Yourself. Understanding the issues surrounding human trafficking dispels myths and misinformation. Dr. Sandie Morgan’s podcast, Ending Human Trafficking, and the co-authored book, Ending Human Trafficking: A Handbook of Strategies for the Church Today, are excellent resources.
3. Attend Ensure Justice Conference: Ensure Justice — GCWJ
4. Listen to Survivors. Survivors provide invaluable insights that inform effective prevention strategies and support systems. Resources - endinghumantrafficking.org
5. Reject Harmful Practices. Avoid consuming pornography or engaging in paid sex, as both directly fuel sex trafficking.
6. Foster Collaboration. Partner with or support organizations addressing trafficking through job training, mental health care, legal advocacy, education, and other essential services.
7. Demand Ethical Practices. Evaluate your purchasing habits and support companies committed to fair trade and ethical labor practices.
8. Leverage Existing Efforts. If you are already engaged in areas like homelessness prevention, foster care, after-school activities, or poverty alleviation, your work is an essential part of trafficking prevention – keep going.
9. Support Survivor Scholarships – Education opens new opportunities. Our scholarship recipients are overcoming challenges and building a better future. GIVE
A Call to Action
National Human Trafficking Prevention Month is a powerful reminder that awareness must lead to action. By educating ourselves, supporting survivors, fostering collaboration, and advocating for ethical practice, we can collectively work toward a world free from trafficking. Let this month inspire us to move beyond outrage and sorrow, channeling outrage and sorrow into sustained, meaningful efforts to combat human trafficking. Together, we can make a difference.