World Day Against Trafficking In Persons
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
July 30 is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking and promoting efforts to combat this serious violation of human rights. Human trafficking involves the exploitation of people through force, fraud, or coercion. It is used for purposes such as forced labor, sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude. It affects millions of individuals worldwideāmany of them women and children. These people are often trapped in exploitative situations with little to no way out.
This day serves as a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to educate themselves, advocate for victims, and support stronger laws and protective measures. Understanding the signs of trafficking and knowing how to report it can help protect vulnerable populations. It can also bring traffickers to justice. Everyone has a role to play in ending human trafficking and supporting survivors on their path to recovery.
What Is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to control individuals for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or forced labor. This crime robs victims of their freedom and basic human rights. Importantly, if the individual involved in commercial sex is under the age of 18, force, fraud, or coercion does not need to be proven for the act to be considered trafficking.
As former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated:
āHuman traffickers prey on the most desperate and vulnerable. To end this inhumane practice, we must do more to shield migrants and refugees ā and particularly young people, women, and children ā from those who would exploit their yearnings for a better, safer, and more dignified future.ā
Who Is Exploited by Trafficking in Persons?
Human trafficking affects women, men, and children globally and for various forms of exploitation, including forced labor and sexual exploitation. The International Labour Organization estimates that 21 million people are victims of forced labor worldwide. While not all are confirmed human trafficking victims, the estimate strongly suggests that millions are currently being trafficked across the globe.
According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in its Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (GLOTIP), children are twice as likely as adults to experience violence during trafficking. The increasing use of online platformsāoften without adequate protectionsāfurther exposes children to the risk of exploitation.
Important Human Trafficking Statistics
Legislation: As of 2024, 14 new or amended laws globally address human trafficking.
Global victims: An estimated 49.6 million people are in modern slavery, including 12 million children.
Gender breakdown: 54% of victims are women and girls.
Most common type: In the United States, the most frequently identified form is sex trafficking.
Top countries with most victims (2002ā2022): Ukraine, the Philippines, the United States, Republic of Moldova, and Mexico.
Victim ages: Half of all identified victims are under 26, with the highest concentration between ages 9ā17 and 30ā38.
Industry size: Human trafficking generates approximately $150 billion annually.
Profitability: It is the second most profitable illegal industry in the United States.
Need Help or Want to Report a Concern?
National Human Trafficking Hotline
š Call: 1-888-373-7888
š± Text: 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”)
š Hours: 24/7
š Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ others
š Website: humantraffickinghotline.org
Raise Awareness: Wear Blue
The color blue represents the fight against trafficking in persons. Show your support on July 30 ā World Day Against Trafficking in Persons by wearing a blue enamel awareness ribbon.
Personalized CauseĀ® offers a variety of awareness products, including blue fabric ribbons and blue silicone wristbands, available in both personalized and non-personalized versions. Wearing a ribbon is a small yet powerful way to stand in solidarity with victims and raise awareness about this global issue.
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