Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month – January 2025

During the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January, emphasis is placed on creating awareness about human trafficking and the great human rights violation that it is. Human trafficking, and other forms of modern-day slavery, take place in various parts of the world, where people are sold for labor, sex, or anything else the buyers require. Spread awareness throughout January about the global crisis so people can contribute in any way to rescuing the victims, catching and prosecuting the perpetrators, and improving the lives of the survivors.

History of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

According to the official definition given by the U.S. Department of Defense, human trafficking is a crime in which force, fraud, or coercion, is used to compel a person to perform labor, services, or commercial sex. Since the practice takes place across the world and affects all populations and economic classes, spreading awareness is the key to ending the crime. This is why January was declared National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in 2010.

Since then, the month has been recognized for bringing to light the facts related to human trafficking. It also exposes how violence, threats, deception, debt bondage, and other manipulative tactics are used to fool people into performing tasks against their will or for no pay. On December 30, 2011, President Obama stated: “Human trafficking endangers the lives of millions of people around the world, and it is a crime that knows no borders. Trafficking networks operate both domestically and transnationally, and although abuses disproportionally affect women and girls, the victims of this ongoing global tragedy are men, women, and children of all ages.”

The real significance of the month has origins in the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, which freed 3.1 million slaves. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (T.V.P.A.) of 2000 also made official the commitment of the U.S. to eliminating global modern slavery. National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month also celebrate anti-trafficking organizations and state and local law enforcement.

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month timeline

2012
The Order

The Executive Order ‘Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contracts’ is issued.

2016
The Prospects

The first convening of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking takes place.

2017
The Saviors

The State Department launches its largest anti-trafficking program.

2020
Reaching the World

A government website on human trafficking is launched.

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month FAQs

Is human trafficking a form of slavery?

Yes, it is. Human trafficking is considered a modern form of slavery.

What is the color for human trafficking?

Blue is internationally recognized as the universal color for human trafficking prevention. Join and support the nationwide awareness campaign by wearing the color blue, taking photos, and posting on social media.

What day is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day?

January 11 has been designated by the U.S. Senate as the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness.

How to Observe National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

  1. Meet a survivor

    To truly understand human trafficking and the trauma faced by victims, meet a survivor and discover their story. Don’t stop there, support their recovery and reintegration into society by donating what you can.

  2. Use the hashtag

    Post a status or update your story with the appropriate hashtag. Ask people to repost and use the same hashtag to make the topic trend.

  3. Volunteer with credible organizations

    Since many organizations help human trafficking victims, volunteer to raise funds that may serve the cause. Help by offering whatever relevant skills you have.

5 Serious Facts About Human Trafficking

  1. Forced sexual exploitation

    At least 4.8 million people worldwide are trafficked for sexual exploitation.

  2. Labor trafficking

    Each year, 4.1 million people are trafficked for forced labor globally.

  3. The majority of victims

    Women and girls are victims 70% of the time.

  4. The impact on children

    One million children are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation.

  5. Profit for traffickers

    Human trafficking earns global profits of roughly $150 billion a year.

Why National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month is Important

  1. It creates awareness

    The month creates awareness regarding human trafficking and the different channels. This helps people avoid possible traps.

  2. It helps the victims

    The month helps the victims in many ways. It pushes for an increase in laws against trafficking and the development of initiatives that could end it.

  3. It increases donations

    Since the month provides information on the alarming realities of slavery and human trafficking, numerous people end up donating to the cause. The awareness campaigns also serve to point prospective donors to the right organizations.

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month dates

YearDateDay
2025January 1Wednesday
2026January 1Thursday
2027January 1Friday
2028January 1Saturday
2029January 1Monday
Celebration of Life Week
Celebration of Life Week
Diet Resolution Week
Diet Resolution Week
National Time Consciousness Week
New Year’s Resolutions Week
Silent Record Week
World Series of Beer Pong
Apple Gifting Day
Apple Gifting Day
Commitment Day
Commitment Day
Copyright Law Day
Ellis Island Day
Ellis Island Day
Euro Day
Euro Day
National First-Foot Day
First-Foot Day
Global Family Day
Haitian Independence Day
International Public Domain Day
Mummer's Parade
National Bloody Mary Day
National Hangover Day
National Shepherd Day
New Year's Day
New Year’s Dishonor List Day
New Year’s Dishonor List Day
Polar Bear Plunge Day
Public Domain Day
Ring a Bell Day
Rose Bowl Game
Solemnity of Mary
Sudan Independence Day
Tournament of Roses Parade
Triumph of the Revolution
Triumph of the Revolution
Universal Hour of Peace
Universal Hour of Peace
World Day of Peace
Z Day
Z Day
Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
Apple and Apricot Month
Artichoke and Asparagus Month
Be Kind To Food Servers Month
Bread Machine Baking Month
Bread Machine Baking Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
California Restaurant Month
California Restaurant Month
Celebration Of Life Month
Celebration Of Life Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Children Impacted by Parent's Cancer Month
Clap 4 Health Month
Dry January
Family Fit Lifestyle Month
Financial Wellness Month
Financial Wellness Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get Ireland Active
Get Organized Month
Get Organized Month
Ginuary
International Brain Teaser Month
International Change Your Stars Month
International Child-Centered Divorce Month
International Creativity Month
International Creativity Month
International Quality of Life Month
International Wayfinding Month
International Wealth Mentality Month
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
Little Things Mental Health Campaign
Manuary
March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Bath Safety Month
National Be On-Purpose Month
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Black Diamond Month
National Blood Donor Month
National Book Blitz Month
National Braille Literacy Month
National CBD Month
National Clean Up Your Computer Month
National Codependency Awareness Month
National Codependency Awareness Month
National Conscience Month
National Eye Care Month
National Eye Care Month
National Fiber Focus Month
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
National Hobby Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
National Meat Month
National Mentoring Month
National Menudo Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Personal Trainer Awareness Month
National Polka Month
National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month
National Radon Action Month
National Skating Month
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
National Slow Cooking Month
National Soup Month
National Staying Healthy Month
National Sunday Supper Month
National Thank You Month
National Train Your Dog Month
National Volunteer Blood Donor Month
National Wheat Bread Month
Poverty Awareness Month
Poverty in America Awareness Month
Prune Breakfast Month
Receding Gums Awareness Month
Retail Bakers Month
Rising Star Month
Self-Love Month
Shape Up US Month
Stalking Awareness Month
START Child Health campaign
Teen Driving Awareness Month
Teen Driving Awareness Month
Thyroid Awareness Month
Tubers and Dried Fruit Month
Unchain a Dog Month
Veganuary
Walk Your Dog Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.