The Department of Homeland Security designated January Human Trafficking Awareness month with various activities and events to raise awareness and provide training to recognize human trafficking.
“Make no mistake, human trafficking is modern-day slavery. Through use of force, fraud, or coercion, people around the world are robbed of their freedom and forced into labor or commercial sex acts. Human traffickers do not discriminate based on nationality, age, gender, or socioeconomic status. Across the world—in rural towns and urban areas alike—innocent men and women are targeted and exploited.” said Secretary of DHS Kirstjen M. Nielsen on #WearBlueDay Jan. 11.
“Human trafficking is the antithesis of everything the free world represents, and the Department of Homeland Security is not standing idly by. In airports, along borders, and in communities across the country, our officers and agents are trained to identify those being victimized by criminals, including transnational criminal organizations,” Nielsen said. “Through President Trump’s immigration priorities, we will secure our borders, enforce laws within our country, and create an immigration system that protects the American people. By empowering law enforcement officers to do their jobs and providing them with the resources they need, we can more effectively combat human trafficking.”
“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking. I encourage all Americans to learn how to recognize the signs of trafficking, and join the fight to end these heinous crimes.”
DHS’s Blue Campaign is the unified voice on the Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking. Working in collaboration with law enforcement, government, non-governmental and private organizations, Blue Campaign strives to protect the basic right of freedom and to bring those who exploit human lives to justice.
DHS provides a host of resources to define and identify trafficked persons with support to law enforcement, first responders, and federal employees on how to recognize victims. January 11 was designated by the Department as #WearBlueDay to raise awareness and show support for the victims of trafficking.
Through Blue Campaign, DHS raises public awareness about human trafficking, leveraging partnerships to educate the public to recognize human trafficking and report suspected instances. Blue Campaign also offers training to law enforcement and others to increase detection and investigation of human trafficking, and to protect victims and bring suspected traffickers to justice. To view all available Blue Campaign resources, please visit our resources page. January 11th marks “Wear Blue Day” to raise awareness of Blue Campaign efforts. Follow the DHS Blue Campaign on twitter.
To report suspected human trafficking, call: 1-866-347-2423 and visit the Blue Campaign Website.
To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).
