Today is Human Trafficking Awareness Day

In honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Day, please allow me to re-post the following, originally found at liveyourdream.org.

Last month, in honor of the United Nations’ International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, Live Your Dream Supporters (“Dreamers”),
(1) obtained and distributed sex trafficking awareness-raising materials like the STOP Trafficking Rack Card available through www.liveyourdream.org, and
(2) sent messages to Congress encouraging U.S. government leaders to work to abolish modern-day slavery by supporting the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.

One month later there is good news but also more work to be done.

On December 31, 2012, U.S. President Barack Obama demonstrated his anti-trafficking support by issuing a Presidential Proclamation declaring January 2013 National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

However, on January 2, 2013, the 112th U.S. Congress came to a close before taking action to pass the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. This important legislation is needed to prevent trafficking, protect survivors, and prosecute those responsible for these crimes. Neglecting to take action on this issue failed the hundreds of thousands of women and girls ensnared in sex trafficking in the United States—a crime that deprives women and girls of their freedom, condemning them to a life of gang rape, violence, abuse and psychological trauma.

At Live Your Dream, we will continue to work to secure the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act during the 113th Session of U.S. Congress. And in the wake of this disappointment...
We want survivors to know we will continue to stand behind them. We are raising our voices, and we will be louder than ever!