While Monday, July 30, is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, it’s important to remember that every day, there are families and children tragically affected by human trafficking. In fact, more than 20 million people around the world are in forced labor, including situations of human trafficking.
Human trafficking is a global reality to which no country is immune. But progress in the fight against it is being made.
According to this year’s Trafficking in Persons report — an annual report issued by the U.S. State Department — international recognition of the devastating effects of human trafficking increases each year. Governments of more than 170 countries have made public commitments to its eradication, promising punishment for traffickers, care for victims, and action to prevent this crime.
This year’s report conveyed a stronger focus on the necessity of local-level engagement to fight trafficking. In his speech at the launch of the report, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “If we’re going to win this fight, national governments must empower local communities to proactively identify human trafficking and develop local solutions to address it.”
World Vision’s approach focuses on empowering communities to address the root causes of issues of violence against children, such as trafficking. We know that to prevent and protect children from trafficking, we need local solutions that involve families, communities, and countries where children are trafficked. World Vision’s local presence and staff – and local systems-strengthening approach – are critical to improving the protective environment for all vulnerable populations.
But there’s something you can do to help, too.
House Resolution 910 condemns violence against children globally and encourages the development of a strategy for preventing, addressing, and ending violence against children — which includes trafficking.
Will you write to your representative and ask them to cosponsor this resolution? Your voice could make a big difference in this fight.
[This action has expired. Take action here.]
Photo: At the Khulna City Child-Friendly Learning and Recreation Center (CFLRC) in Bangladesh, boys who work in automobile shops around the city learn about their rights and about the dangers of human trafficking. ©2017 World Vision, Laura Reinhardt.
Please consider