January: A Call to Action for Human Trafficking Prevention
January is a pivotal month, not just for a fresh start in the new year, but for the awareness it brings about a tragic reality—human trafficking. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. These observances are not just dates on a calendar; they are calls to action to raise awareness about modern-day slavery that continues to affect millions of people worldwide.
The month of January also holds historical significance, coinciding with the time when Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, a declaration intended to free enslaved individuals. Yet, despite the passage of time, slavery and human trafficking persist. Traffickers continue to prey on vulnerable people—those who are marginalized, desperate, or trapped in difficult circumstances. According to the United Nations, traffickers exploit this vulnerability because human trafficking is often underreported and underprosecuted, which allows perpetrators to profit with little risk of punishment.
While it's challenging to address the issue of underprosecution, we can all contribute by focusing on what’s often overlooked: the underreporting of trafficking. By educating ourselves, staying alert to the signs of trafficking, and listening to our conscience, we can make a difference.
One person who took action is Rita, a woman involved in the Freedom Challenge, an initiative that raises funds for projects that help vulnerable women and children. Rita’s story is a powerful example of how small steps can have a significant impact. On a flight from California to Colorado, Rita noticed a couple sitting nearby. The man was loudly declaring it was their honeymoon, but the woman’s terrified expression caught Rita’s attention. After sensing something was wrong, Rita discreetly approached a flight attendant and expressed her concern. The stewardess, who shared Rita's unease, acted swiftly when the man went to the restroom, passing a note to the woman asking, “Are you okay? Do you need help?” It turned out the woman was being trafficked. Thanks to Rita’s awareness and bravery, the situation was reported, and the man was arrested.
Stories like Rita’s show that we don’t need to be experts or law enforcement officers to make a difference. We just need to care enough to learn and act.
This month, I invite you to take one simple step: learn one statistic about human trafficking in your area or country, and bring it to God in prayer. Ask Him to show you how you can help, whether it’s through volunteering, fundraising, or spreading awareness. Prayer is a powerful tool, and when we pray for those involved in trafficking, we align ourselves with God’s justice and mercy.
For example, one area that needs our attention is Pattaya, Thailand, known as the unofficial sex tourism capital of the world. Pattaya’s nightlife attracts millions of tourists each year, many of whom engage in exploitation. One of the projects supported by Operation Mobilization (OM) is working to provide education and vocational training, such as teaching English and hairdressing, to help women leave the sex trade. We can pray for these women, the workers who serve them, and for God’s justice to flow in this dark place.
But it’s not just about statistics or large-scale projects. It’s about the individual lives affected—wives, mothers, daughters, and children who deserve freedom. Every person trapped in human trafficking is made in the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We need to seek God’s heart for justice and act accordingly.
As we pray and seek God's intervention, let us also pray for those in positions of power who can bring about systemic change. The United Nations, law enforcement, and lawmakers all play crucial roles in ending human trafficking, but we must pray that they carry God's heart for justice. We need men and women in power who are willing to see the truth and act on it, whether or not they know God personally.
Finally, if this issue feels overwhelming, consider joining the Freedom Challenge. This initiative raises funds for 43 projects worldwide, providing rescue, restoration, and prevention for vulnerable women and children. Rita’s involvement in the challenge helped her raise awareness and provide practical support for these efforts. You can join this cause, or you can find another way to get involved in your community.
In conclusion, this month is a reminder that human trafficking is still a pervasive issue. We must educate ourselves, pray for those affected, and take action in whatever way we can. Together, we can make a difference and bring justice to those who have been silenced. As we cry out for justice, let it be a cry full of mercy, knowing that the God of justice hears us.
Let’s raise our voices, support the Freedom Challenge, and continue to work together for a world where no one is enslaved. Share this message, and let’s start a movement of awareness and action.
Listen to the full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/842389/episodes/16342979