Thursday, July 30 was the United Nations’ World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Recognizing this important day of awareness is just one way Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC aims to end sexual abuse and exploitation.
What Is the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons?
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is an awareness campaign sponsored by the United Nations (UN). “International Day,” campaigns such as this one are designed “to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.”
This year, the UN focused on the first responders who work to end human trafficking worldwide. Law enforcement officers, healthcare professionals, social workers, and even attorneys help hold perpetrators accountable and protect the vulnerable in cases of sexual exploitation and abuse.
What Is Human Trafficking?
According to the UN, “human trafficking is a crime that exploits women, children and men for numerous purposes including forced labour and sex.” Sexual exploitation or sex trafficking accounts for 59% of trafficking, and 23% of all trafficking victims are young girls.
In the United States, many instances of trafficking occur in hotels and motels. Victims often struggle with English, which makes it hard for them to speak up or ask for help. Due to the trauma caused by trafficking, many victims are too afraid to identify themselves or ask for help – even in public or high-profile settings.
Fortunately, there are a few easy avenues to report human trafficking. If you suspect an instance of trafficking, you can report it to Federal law enforcement at 1-866-347-2423.
If you or someone you know is a victim of trafficking, you can also get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting HELP or INFO to 233733 (BeFree).
Since December 2007, 276,654 people have contacted the National Human Trafficking Hotline and 63,380 cases have been reported. A total of 48,326 people have already contacted the hotline in 2020.
Long-Term Consequences of Trafficking
Even after someone is freed from trafficking, they may have a difficult time adjusting to everyday life. Sexual abuse leads to lifelong trauma, which can interfere with education, career opportunities, and more.
Some survivors are eventually able to come forward and hold their abusers accountable via criminal and civil litigation. Sexual abuse lawsuits can help survivors gain access to valuable resources, such as therapy, education, and financial stability.
Our firm is proud to help victim-survivors of sexual abuse seek justice and create full and meaningful lives going forward.
If you need help with a trafficking or sexual abuse claim, please do not hesitate to call us at (843) 968-0886 or contact us online.
All our meetings and conversations will be free and confidential, and you will not owe us any legal fees unless we win compensation on your behalf. We hope to help you come forward soon.