In late December each year, the President of United States lays hand to sign a proclamation for National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The 2013 prevention month, marked in January, provides space for reflection, knowledge building, and efforts to break down this despicable demonstration of human nature. The Presidential Proclamation begins:
“This month, we rededicate ourselves to stopping one of the greatest human rights abuses of our time. Around the world, millions of men, women, and children are bought, sold, beaten, and abused, locked in compelled service and hidden in darkness. They toil in factories and fields; in brothels and sweatshops; at sea, abroad, and at home. They are the victims of human trafficking — a crime that amounts to modern-day slavery.”
Human trafficking is a dark form of modern day slavery. It impacts largely women and girls, although men and boy children are also impacted. Organizations like the Polaris Project dedicate their time, energy and resources to recognizing and intervening in cases of human trafficking in an effective and informed way. Our role as scholars, activists, and folks interested in gender-based violence is to learn all we can about this issue, how to address it, and how to confront the ideas that help to support a culture of slavery and violence. Check out some resources on the issue, post information on how to get help, and disrupt a sexist comment the next time you hear it to get started.
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