Human trafficking is a violation of our core values—that every person is created equal and possesses the inherent rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It damages our communities, undermines the rule of law, and threatens our national security. As President Biden stated in the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, this Administration is dedicated to prioritizing this fight within our national security agenda. (2023)
According to the Trafficking in Persons report published year (2023), millions of individuals are exploited both domestically and internationally. They may be forced to work in factories for little or no pay, harvest crops, endure harsh conditions in mines, construction sites, and on fishing boats, or labor in private homes. Many victims are subjected to commercial sexual exploitation, affecting both adults and children.
Addressing a global issue like trafficking necessitates a worldwide coalition that spans government, business, and civil society. By sharing resources and information, we can better equip frontline stakeholders to track and respond to the changing trends of trafficking. Collaborating with survivors allows us to develop trauma-informed anti-trafficking policies and strategies. Additionally, utilizing technology can help us address the connection between finance and human trafficking, as well as improve our ability to detect online exploitation.
Human trafficking thrives in an unequal world. Traffickers often target the most vulnerable communities, exploiting individuals who are hesitant to involve law enforcement, lack access to essential services, or feel marginalized. Our partnerships must be broad enough to reach diverse groups and marginalized communities. Promoting equity in terms of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and the needs of marginalized individuals is not only the right thing to do but also a strategic approach. By supporting vulnerable migrants, advocating for women’s rights, and enacting protective legislation for LGBTQI+ individuals, we contribute to building a more just and equitable world that is also more resilient against human traffickers.
Survivors play a crucial role as partners in the anti-trafficking movement. They offer invaluable perspectives that can enhance programs, policies, and strategies to ensure all efforts are victim-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally competent in addressing trafficking. Involving survivors significantly improves our ability to focus our collective anti-trafficking efforts.
A comprehensive approach to human trafficking requires governments to prioritize multiple layers of cooperation. This includes both internal collaboration among government agencies and external coordination with other governments, international organizations, the private sector, academia, media, community leaders, NGOs such as Deskan Institute & Training Inc., and survivor-led organizations.