01/08/2024
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Started by President Obama in 2010, it is a month dedicated to raising awareness of the issue of human trafficking, so that the public can identify and help prevent this crime. In 2021 alone, over 10,000 incidents of trafficking involving 16, 553 victims were reported to the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline. And the sad part is, there are likely many more incidents that go unreported, with victims unknown or unnoticed. While anyone could be a potential victim, disabled individuals are at far greater risk of being targeted by traffickers.
Here at Locally Served, it is our mission to fight for some of the most vulnerable members of our society. In observance of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we encourage our followers to take a few moments to educate themselves about human trafficking. Knowing both the signs of trafficking and any risk factors that may impact the vulnerable among us are two simple ways we can all help prevent this terrible crime.
For more information on recognizing and reporting human trafficking:
https://www.state.gov/what-is-trafficking-in-persons/
https://polarisproject.org/myths-facts-and-statistics/
https://www.ovcttac.gov/taskforceguide/eguide/4-supporting-victims/45-victim-populations/victims-with-physical-cognitive-or-emotional-disabilities/
The Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide is a resource to support established task forces and provide guidance to agencies that are forming task forces.
