MEDIA RELEASE

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, January 11th;
Kentucky Agencies Align to Combat Problem

Louisville, KY - In recognition of the United States’ commitment to eradicate modern-day slavery, Congress passed a resolution in June 2007 making January 11 the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. This annual observance contributes to the ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the issue of human trafficking and highlights the work of the anti-trafficking movement.

Victims are trafficked into the United States, often without knowing the real circumstances of their travel. Individuals are lured here with a variety of false promises of opportunities, usually well-paying jobs, and then forced into involuntary servitude or sexual slavery through force, fraud, or coercion.  Perpetrators often use threats of or actual physical and emotional abuse to keep their victims captive.

According to the June 2007 U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report, an estimated 800,000 men, women, and children are trafficked across international borders each year; about 14,500 to 17,500 of them to the United States.  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, whose organization works closely with this population, estimates about one-third of foreign-born trafficking victims are children.

Locally, concerned individuals are working to raise awareness and assist in this effort. Formed in spring of 2007, the Louisville Human Trafficking Task Force is comprised of representatives from local government, federal and local law enforcement, Catholic Charities, the Center for Women & Families, the Division of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Services, immigration attorneys, children's advocacy centers, survivors, and other key community partners.

The Louisville Task Force, which meets monthly, has been drawing on the collective expertise of its members to develop an interagency plan to implement when victims of trafficking are encountered.  Each agency, from law enforcement to social service providers to legal advocates, has a specific role to play in getting victims identified and providing assistance to remove them from the situation.

Darko Mihaylovich, director of Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services and co-chair of the Louisville Human Trafficking Task Force, is encouraged about the initial work of the task force to date, which included training for law enforcement and social service providers. However, he feels that much more needs to be done.

“We know the problem exists in Kentucky, but due to its nature we don’t know to what extent. These victims can’t or usually don’t come forward on their own.” He added, “We need to raise public awareness, especially with those in our community who are likely to interact with these victims so they can be identified and receive the services they need.”

If you suspect you have encountered a victim of human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.