Today our nation celebrates National Freedom Day, which commemorates the day in 1865 when the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery was sent to the states for ratification. It is also the culmination of January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
Around the world, as many as 27 million people are still victimized in human trafficking, or modern slavery. This scourge occurs everywhere in the world -- including our own country. However, there is progress. Here in the United States, nearly every state has some form of anti-trafficking legislation -- and Wyoming is poised soon to become the last state to criminalize modern slavery. The passage of this bill, and others like it, is due in no small part to the work and advocacy of non-governmental organizations, victim service providers, legislators, and concerned citizens like you. As we celebrate the enduring promise of freedom embodied in the Emancipation Proclamation and our Constitution, I hope you will join the continuing struggle to end modern slavery and become a modern day abolitionist. Here are 10 ways you might get involved:
1. Learn the red flags that may indicate human trafficking and ask follow up questions so that you can help identify a potential trafficking victim. Human trafficking awareness training is available for individuals, businesses, first responders, law enforcement, and federal employees.
2. In the United States, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at
