Every year, someone is a survivor of human trafficking. This month is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and it is important because it draws attention to an issue that has been happening for so long and shines a light on it, especially on social media platforms.
People of all races, genders, age, and those part of the LGBTQ+ community, are faced with being trafficked. January is Human Trafficking Awareness month, and the purpose is to educate yourself on aspects such as the signs of human trafficking, and to do whatever you can to prevent others from facing this issue in the future. People also wear blue on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, January 11 to support survivors and spread awareness.
According to Blue Campaign on Instagram — a national public awareness campaign — 27 million people have been affected by human trafficking. This has been happening for so long, but with the help of organizations like this, along with other organizations and communities, help can be provided to people who experienced trauma physically and mentally, and bring justice to end it.
After being trafficked, survivors face anxiety, depression, and pain, and do not want to remember what they just endured because they’re scared or were threatened; they had been branded, abused — both verbally and physically — without their consent. I feel sad because in my opinion no one of any age and gender should face these kinds of issues. You want to do something about it because it feels morally wrong, and it is disgusting to see someone or anyone being treated like they are less than human, but are treated as animals.
However, when organizations and communities come together and join forces to stop this issue from happening, something can happen to raise awareness so it does not happen to anyone else. Sex traffickers find their victims on the internet, through jobs, relationships, neighbors, friends, family members, on the streets, and it can be anyone looking to trap the next victim. I feel that this is dangerous because you can not trust anyone you see, so you have to protect yourself when you see someone. There are many resources and organizations that want to help and fight this issue. I am happy that people in this world want to stop this from happening, and I hope one day there will never be traffickers out there looking for their next victims.
If you or someone you know was affected by human trafficking, please go to the National Human Trafficking Hotline for help.
