January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and take action to combat human trafficking. This critical issue affects 27.6 million men, women, and children worldwide. By taking the time to understand the issue and how we can all contribute to ending it, we can stand united in the fight for freedom.

Awareness is the first step toward creating a world free from human trafficking. 

What is Human Trafficking Awareness Month?

Human Trafficking Awareness Month is observed every January to bring attention to the global crisis of human trafficking. This month-long observance is not only about raising awareness but also about encouraging meaningful action that can directly impact the lives of survivors and prevent others from being trapped.

Every year, communities, organizations, and advocates across the world come together to spread knowledge and inspire change. It’s a reminder that human trafficking is not random or rare—it’s actually normal. With millions trapped and billions profited every year, human trafficking is routine. But it shouldn’t be. 

Every day, traffickers rake in $648 million—more than the GDP of entire countries. It’s not just numbers. That’s thousands of lives exploited every single hour.

Why is Human Trafficking Awareness Month Important?

Human Trafficking Awareness Month serves as a critical opportunity to:

• Educate the public about human trafficking and its signs.
• Advocate for policy changes to protect vulnerable populations.
• Support survivors of trafficking and raise funds for essential services like shelter, legal aid, and rehabilitation.
• Unite organizations and individuals who are committed to the fight against trafficking.

The Reality of Human Trafficking

Worldwide, human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal enterprise, generating $236 billion in illegal profit. That's more profit than Walmart, Visa, Amazon, Google, and Apple—combined. That’s also $7,483 every second—the time it takes for you to blink.

Sex trafficking is when someone uses force, lies, or intimidation to cause another person to perform a commercial sex act. Sex trafficking is the practice of illegally transporting people from one country or area to another for the purpose of sexual exploitation. It is the act of profiting from the exploitation of men, women, and children through prostitution, pornography, public or private sexual exhibition, public or private exhibitions of a sexual nature, sex tourism or any other paid sexual activity.

Key Statistics You Should Know:

• The International Labour Organization estimates that there are 27.6 million victims of human trafficking worldwide. For every second in a year, someone is trapped in trafficking—that’s 90 people in the time it takes to brush your teeth.
• Right now, more individuals are trapped in trafficking than ever before, with a shocking 6.3 million trapped in sexual exploitation.
• Nearly four out of every five individuals, 78%, are girls or women.

The numbers are staggering—but here’s what they really mean: it’s as routine as passing a coffee shop or catching a green light on your commute. And it thrives because we still see it as rare, random, or someone else’s problem. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. That's not normal. We shouldn't have to dedicate a day, a week or a month to what shouldn't exist.

Who Is Affected by Sex Trafficking

Everyone is affected by trafficking. Trafficking affects communities and individuals, and it ultimately affects us all because we can all feel the impact in one way or another. If one is not free, then none of us are free.

Sex trafficking happens in every country in every part of the world—no community is immune. Sex trafficking happens in homes, schools, legal and illegal brothels, illicit massage parlors, hotels, strip clubs, cantinas, escort services, street prostitution, online sex acts, pornography, and any other place where traffickers and buyers can think of.

Being able to recognize the signs of trafficking can make a difference. Victims may show various signs depending on the type of trafficking they are subjected to. However, some general warning signs include:

• Poor physical condition: Trafficked individuals may appear malnourished, bruised, or in need of medical care.
• Inconsistent or fearful behavior: Victims often avoid eye contact or exhibit signs of fear when approached.
• Control and isolation: Trafficked individuals may be isolated from others and often under the strict control of their trafficker, who monitors their movements.
• Signs of sexual exploitation: Individuals may be accompanied by someone who makes decisions for them or act in a submissive, fearful manner.

If you suspect someone is being trafficked, it’s important to contact the authorities or organizations like the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

How Can You Get Involved?

Human Trafficking Awareness Month is a perfect time to take action in this fight. While awareness is the first step, there are many ways you can contribute to the cause:

• Learn and Educate Others: Share educational resources on social media or host discussions in your community or workplace. Click here to learn more about human trafficking.
• Support Anti-Trafficking Organizations: Donate to organizations like Atlas Free that are actively working to combat trafficking and support survivors.
• Advocate for Change: Contact your local lawmakers to express your commitment to anti-trafficking legislation and urge them to support policies that protect victims and punish traffickers.
• Volunteer Your Time: Click here to sign up for our volunteer list to be notified when we have remote or in-person volunteer opportunities.

How Atlas Free Is Making a Difference

For over 12 years, Atlas Free has been at the forefront of combating sex trafficking, reuniting families, and supporting survivors of sex trafficking. Our work combats the entire issue, and every day we invest in what's working through aftercare, prevention, outreach, awareness, and intervention programs. By leading a network of over 40 local organizations across in 26 countries, Atlas Free finds and accelerates the most effective frontline initiatives and creates resources and tools to scale the fight against human trafficking. 

Some of our key initiatives include:

• Awareness
• Policy
• Prevention
• Education
• Victim Services and Aftercare
• Outreach
• Rescue and Intervention

Take Action Today: How You Can Make a Difference

There’s no better time to take a stand. As we observe Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we invite you to join the movement. Whether it’s by donating, volunteering, or spreading awareness, your involvement can help create lasting change.

Here’s how you can get involved today:

• Donate monthly to Atlas Free to help support survivors and put an end to sex trafficking worldwide.
• Subscribe to our newsletter to stay get the latest anti-trafficking news in your inbox every week.
• Follow us on social media to amplify our mission and help educate others.

Together, we can end human trafficking and help survivors build brighter futures.

Human Trafficking Awareness Month is a powerful reminder of the work that still needs to be done to eradicate human trafficking. But it also provides us with an opportunity to act—each of us has a role to play in this movement. By staying informed, getting involved, and supporting organizations like Atlas Free, we can take meaningful steps toward ending trafficking.

Join us today. Together, we can change the norm and push human trafficking further into the shadows of history.