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January marks Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, educating communities, and reinforcing prevention efforts to combat one of the world’s gravest crises: Modern-day slavery.
According to the International Labor Organization’s March 2024 report, profits from forced labor and sexual exploitation have soared to an alarming $239 billion annually — a figure surpassing the combined revenues of several major corporations. Human trafficking has become the fastest-growing and second-largest criminal industry globally, with an estimated 80 percent of trafficking linked to sexual exploitation, disproportionately affecting society’s most vulnerable, as reported by USAID (United States Agency for International Development).
Accountability for Military and Department of Defense members
Soliciting a human trafficking victim or engaging with prostitution is a serious offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 134, with penalties including forfeiture of pay and potential imprisonment. Military personnel and DOD members are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct, both at home and abroad, in combating this injustice.
Presidential Proclamation and Community Action
In his National Human Trafficking Prevention Month proclamation, President Joe Biden declared, “More than 27 million people around the globe endure the abhorrent abuse of human trafficking and forced labor. It is a threat to security, public safety, and human dignity.”
As individuals, we can take meaningful steps to confront this issue:
Report suspicious activity to your chain of command, local DOD Inspector General.
Avoid and report questionable establishments or individuals, particularly locations such as brothels, strip clubs, or bars where trafficking may occur.
Never act alone in potentially dangerous situations. Outside military installations, report concerns to local law enforcement.
For those looking to make a broader impact, consider supporting reputable anti-trafficking organizations. Donations of time, resources, or finances can provide vital assistance to victims and those vulnerable to exploitation.
Educating ourselves and protecting our communities
Education is key to prevention. The CTIP General Awareness Refresher course, now a biannual requirement for DOD personnel as part of the Trafficking in Persons Awareness Training offers valuable insights.
With one in four trafficking victims being children and much of the recruitment occurring online, protecting young people through practical internet safety measures at home and school is essential.
A call to action
Human trafficking thrives in secrecy. By shining a light on these atrocities, we can expose and disrupt the systems that allow them to persist. President Biden aptly stated, “There is no greater sin than the abuse of power, and human trafficking is among the worst…we must each play a role in ending it; we cannot turn away.”
Together, through awareness, action, and accountability, we can help eradicate this global scourge and bring hope to countless lives in need.
To report TIP or access additional CTIP resources, including a Student and Parent Resource Guide, please visit CTIP.defense.gov. To contact the DOD IG Hotline call 1-800-424-9098 or visit dodig.mil/hotline. For the National Human Trafficking Hotline, call 1-888-373-7888.
