National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month (NSHTAM). NSHTAM raises public awareness about human trafficking and focuses on educating the public, preventing trafficking, and supporting survivors through campaigns and initiatives. The goal is to reduce and ultimately eliminate this horrific crime by increasing attention to the issue and promoting protective measures.

The history of this month is important for understanding its significance. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 represents the U.S. commitment to combating human trafficking. In 2010, President Obama declared January “National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month,” and the U.S. Department of State committed to continued efforts to raise awareness of human trafficking both domestically and internationally.

Many organizations raise awareness about this issue; one is She’s in Office. She’s in Office is an international, award-winning organization that aims to end gender-based violence and elect more women to government positions. For NSHTAM, they are participating in events such as volunteering, donation drives, and lobbying to promote anti–human-trafficking bills. One of these events will be held at our school, David Brearley High School. There will be two large pink donation boxes and posters around the school to encourage contributions. Donations will be split between two women’s shelters: Girls Education & Mentoring Services (GEMS) and Lenox Hill Women’s Mental Health Center. Flyers will include a QR code to scan if you’re interested in volunteering with a women’s shelter. You can make a difference with a small donation—just stop by! Suggested donations include clothes, shelf-stable food, menstrual products, toiletries, baby items, and handwritten cards with encouraging words. This donation drive is run by She’s in Office New York, specifically by their Deputy State Lead, Bryanna Rivera (that’s me). Women’s shelters provide a safe space for potential victims of human trafficking, and supporting them can play a significant role in combating the issue. You can make a difference by contributing.