Each year on July 30th, we recognize World Day Against Trafficking In Persons. This day was established in 2014 by the United Nations to raise awareness of the rights of survivors of human trafficking and to encourage action to combat and prevent trafficking. Ongoing global crises, economic instability, and climate emergencies are escalating the risks of trafficking. Additionally, displacement and socio-economic inequalities impact millions of people around the globe, leaving them more vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers.
Lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed trafficking deeper underground and increased the risk to survivors. Detections and conviction rates have slowed down, indicating a deteriorating criminal justice response to trafficking. To end human trafficking, we cannot become indifferent to the severity of trafficking.
We must also provide robust services to survivors of human trafficking to prevent future trafficking situations. Opening Doors' Survivors of Trafficking support program assists with survivors' successful transition away from trafficking situations and helps to foster increased independence and reintegration into the community. All survivors of human trafficking deserve stability, self-sufficiency, and belonging.
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