Skip To Main Content

National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Post RSS Feeds Subscribe to Post Alerts
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the issue of human trafficking and its impact across America and worldwide. Before the establishment of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 enshrined the United States’ commitment to combating human trafficking both domestically and internationally. Established by presidential proclamation in 2010, this month features events and campaigns aimed at increasing awareness, advocating for prevention, and recognizing the collective efforts of government agencies, organizations, survivors, faith communities, businesses, and citizens who work tirelessly to combat human trafficking.

What is Human Trafficking?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines human trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery in which adults or children are controlled through force, fraud, or coercion to perform labor or engage in commercial sex against their will. Globally, women and girls account for 54% of all victims and represent 78% of those subjected to forced commercial sexual exploitation.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline received 10,360 reports of suspected human trafficking, involving 16,710 victims in 2021. In 2024, California reported the highest number of identified cases in the nation, with 1,733 cases and 3,603 victims, according to the National Human Trafficking.

In 2009, the San Bernardino County District Attorney and the Fourth District Supervisor gathered leaders from child-serving departments to establish a collaborative effort to address the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) in San Bernardino County. This partnership led to the formation of the San Bernardino County Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation (C.A.S.E.), which has since developed comprehensive care systems to support youth who have been victims of exploitation. Since its inception, C.A.S.E. has approximately trained 4,000 law enforcement and community members and provided services to 75 minors impacted by human trafficking.

Here are a few ways to observe National Human Trafficking Prevention Month:

  1. C.A.S.E. will host the 7th Annual Human Trafficking Symposium on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The event will offer resources, tools, enrichment activities, workshops, and a panel discussion. The symposium is designed to increase awareness and strengthen human trafficking prevention efforts throughout the county. The keynote speaker for the 2025 symposium was former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation. Click the link to register for the 2026 event:CASE 7th Annual Human Trafficking Symposium>
  2. Individuals can also participate in social media campaigns that promote human trafficking awareness, such as #WearBlueDay on January 11, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Individuals are encouraged to wear blue, the international color symbolizing human trafficking awareness, and share a photo on their social media accounts to help spread awareness. Click link for information:January 11 is #WearBlueDay | Homeland Security.
  3. Individuals can also join the #ForThe50 campaign by posting a photo on social media holding up both hands, one in a fist and the other with five fingers extended, to show support for the 50 million people living in modern-day slavery. Click link for information: (Human Trafficking Prevention Month | Hope for Justice).

Stay Informed/ Resources: