“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction” (US Const. amend. XIII, sec. 1).
Although the United States abolished slavery over 150 years ago, it unfortunately continues to exist in 2019. In the U.S., human traffickers use a variety of tactics including violence, threats, deception, debt bondage, and other manipulative strategies to force people to engage in commercial sex or to provide labor or services against their will. This billion dollar industry affects people all over the country and abroad. In fact, “The International Labour Organization estimates that there are 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally. 81% of them are trapped in forced labor. 25% of them are children. 75% are women and girls” (“The Facts“).
In order to draw attention to this global problem, former President Barack Obama issued a proclamation naming January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Additionally, a 2007 Senate resolution named January 11th as Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Start 2019 by increasing your awareness of modern day slavery NOW!
Need help? Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline:
United States: +1 (888) 373-7888
SMS: 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”)
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages Website: humantraffickinghotline.org
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