Human Trafficking Awareness Month is observed every January. In line with this, the United Nations, through its United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), has recently adopted new resolutions to fight the problem, reduce child trafficking and help the victims.
In its official statement condemning child trafficking, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked world leaders to pursue its investigations and prosecution of terrorist activities that recruit children to their cause. Migration also raises the risks of human trafficking and the U.N. head said that countries should set up sound policies to ensure the safety of women and children.
The United States has heeded to the U.N. call by releasing the very first report on human trafficking based on stories from survivors. UNICEF USA has also unleashed its #ChangeTheWorld campaign to raise awareness on child trafficking and educate American parents.
A Forbes piece, for instance, ran the testimony of the mom of a 17-year-old girl who was forced into the sex trade. Jamie Chesman said that parents should watch out for the warning signs and not ignore teenagers when they begin behaving indifferently.
Young women and children are vulnerable and easily persuaded, especially when traffickers present themselves as non-threatening and not violent in the beginning. The common belief is that those coming from dysfunctional families or in the foster system are most likely victimized but Chesman disagrees. "It can happen to kids with good upbringings with nothing bad going on in the household," the mom said.
Aside from the government, private companies in the U.S. are also helping in the fight against human trafficking and child trafficking. Made In A Free World, for instance, is a private agency that's working with big corporations in establishing risk assessment programs.
At least 300,000 American children become victims of child trafficking every year. Recognize the signs of a victim of human trafficking in the video below.
