January has been an eventful month with human trafficking awareness. Various activities and programs flooded almost all communities across the United States. President Barack Obama opened the activities on December 31 when his Presidential Proclamation on human trafficking awareness became public on the White House website. Everywhere you turned, there was an event taking place. Some were a month long, a week or a day.
When I attended the Survivor Forum organized by the Office For Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVCTTAC) at the White House in Washington D.C. last week, there was an array of events that spur the city. Various government and nonprofit agencies organized and hosted events in commemoration of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Awareness. One of the downside to some of the events was the fact that they were invitation only events.
The Social media had a share of the publicity. Uncountable posts filled Facebook pages from individuals, who are passionate about fighting this crime to organizations creating awareness about their events or services. In fact, I received a Facebook message from a colleague in Nigeria about a female journalist, Tobore Ovuorie, who went undercover to expose sex trafficking in the country. Sadly enough, some of the sex trafficked victims were also harvested for body parts and organ trafficking. The story was published by Premium Times, although, the investigation was conducted in conjunction with ZAM Magazine of Netherlands.
As I write, I have done six presentations this month both as a speaker and as a participant. I am writing this post at the Empower Freedom event at Calvary Church in Roseville, where The Enitan Story is a vendor. Today is January 25, meaning that there are only six days more until the end of the month. What is next in terms of human trafficking awareness? I think, everybody can do more. The awareness has to be intensified beyond the month of January. The more we talk about it, the more we will be able to prevent ourselves or loved ones from becoming victims of human trafficking of any form.
What will you like to do, or are planning to do, to end human trafficking in your community? Please share your thoughts below.
Thank you for your time.
Bye for now, until next time.
