On July 30th, 2021, we honored The United Nations World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This day was established to raise awareness of the plight of human trafficking victims, focusing the world’s attention on promoting and protecting victims and potential future victim’s rights.
The Theme for 2021, “Victims' Voices Lead the Way”
According to the United Nations office on drugs and crime, “This year’s theme for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons highlights the importance of listening to and learning from survivors of human trafficking. Survivors are key actors in the fight against human trafficking. They play a crucial role in establishing effective measures to prevent this crime, identifying and rescuing victims, and supporting them on their road to rehabilitation.
Many victims of human trafficking have experienced ignorance or misunderstanding in their attempts to get help. They have had traumatic post-rescue experiences during identification interviews and legal proceedings. Some have faced revictimization and punishment for crimes they were forced to commit by their traffickers. Others have been subjected to stigmatization or received inadequate support.
Learning from victims’ experiences and turning their suggestions into concrete actions will lead to a more victim-centered and effective approach in combating human trafficking.”
The crime of human trafficking affects an estimated 25 million people worldwide: adults and children in sex trafficking or forced labor. California consistently has the highest human trafficking rates in the United States, with 1,507 cases reported in 2019.
In the press release from the USAID for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
“The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) honors the resilience of those who have endured the pain and cruelty of human trafficking and who are courageously rebuilding their lives. We reaffirm our commitment to preventing criminals from exploiting people for profit, and we invite all to join the challenge to help end human trafficking.”
In addition to honoring the victims and confirming their commitment to stopping the future exploitation of victims, they have focused on a survivor lead approach.
“Later this year, we will launch a revised Policy on Countering Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP), which will incorporate a stronger survivor-informed and survivor-led approach. The policy will also promote the integration of efforts to combat human trafficking across development programs in other sectors such as education, health, and agriculture.”
Global Hope 365 and its partners strongly support the shift to including the voices of the survivors in helping to end the pain and suffering of Human Sex Trafficking globally and locally.
Global Hope 365 is educating city, county, and local lawmakers on human trafficking prevention and increased penalties for offenders. Support our outreach efforts to establish a human trafficking perpetrator registry to help law enforcement prevent human trafficking victims.
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