A call for reflection and action on a reality that must be faced head-on
Human trafficking is one of the most serious and persistent crimes on a global scale, violating fundamental rights and human dignity. To intensify the fight against this practice, in 2007, the United States Congress designated January 11th as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, seeking to mobilize society and institutions around raising awareness and combating this dark reality.
The origin of National Awareness Day
Formalized on June 22, 2007 by the U.S. Senate, National Awareness Day was a bipartisan effort led by senators such as Dianne Feinstein, John Cornyn, Barack Obama, and Dick Lugar. The central objective was to draw attention to the victims of “modern slavery” and strengthen actions against human trafficking. At the time, Barack Obama declared: “Human trafficking is an atrocity and we must do everything we can to enforce the law and raise awareness to prevent it.”
This legislative milestone also symbolized progress in the United States following the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, initially approved in 2000, which strengthened the foundations for identifying and supporting victims.
Alarming Data
Human trafficking is a profitable criminal activity, generating around 32 billion dollars annually worldwide, 85% of which comes from sexual exploitation, according to the UN.
In 2022, more than 115,000 victims of human trafficking were identified globally, a significant increase from the previous year. In regions like Papua New Guinea, women and children are exploited in sex trafficking, forced labor and other degrading activities. It is estimated that 30% of sex trafficking victims in this country are children, some as young as 10 years old.
In Brazil, the numbers are also alarming. Between January and April 2024, the Ministry of Human Rights recorded 98 violations related to human trafficking, which is equivalent to one case per day. Since 1995, more than 60,000 workers have been rescued from conditions similar to slavery, one of the cruelest aspects of human trafficking in the country.
Vulnerability Profiles
Human trafficking is closely linked to social, economic, racial and gender inequalities. Women, children, migrants, refugees and socially marginalized groups are the main victims of this crime. Among the most common forms of exploitation in Brazil are: sexual exploitation and slave labor.
Furthermore, the crime is characterized by acts such as recruiting, transporting and housing victims, for purposes that include sexual exploitation, organ removal, forced begging and illegal adoptions. The methods involve coercion, fraud, abuse of vulnerability and even the use of force.
Complaints and combat actions
In Brazil, complaints can be made through channels such as:
- Human Rights Hotline: Call 100 or send an email to disquedenuncia@sedh.gov.br
- Women’s Service Center: League 180
Recommendations for international reporting
- If you are in immediate danger, look to embassies or consulates for support, especially in cross-border trafficking cases.
- Utilize local anti-trafficking organizations that work in partnership with international networks.
- IOM, a UN agency, works in partnership with governments and NGOs to combat human trafficking and provides support channels in several countries: iom.int. Victims can seek local or regional assistance through IOM offices around the world.
These channels are essential to combat human trafficking and rescue victims, but they still face the challenge of underreporting, as many cases remain invisible.
Commitment to awareness
Given the gravity and complexity of this issue, the MUST University reaffirms its commitment to promoting awareness about human trafficking. “The story of our vice president, who was a victim of this crime as a child, reinforces the urgency of intensifying efforts to eradicate this practice”, declares Giulianna C. Meneghello, president of MUST.
A journey of pain, justice and overcoming
Fabian Fernandez, vice president of MUST University, was a victim of child abuse and human trafficking at the age of 6. As a survivor of this cruel reality, he was able to develop a deeply personal and intimate understanding of this problem. “Firstly, it is important to distinguish between human trafficking and human smuggling. Human trafficking involves the exploitation of an individual, whether knowingly or unknowingly, for the purposes of forced labor, sexual exploitation (both personal and commercial) or other forms of abuse. In contrast, human smuggling refers to the voluntary payment made to a smuggler to gain illegal entry into a foreign country or region,” explains Fabian.
“Human trafficking is a social epidemic, with an estimated 27.6 million victims worldwide at any given time, seriously compromising the essence of human dignity. Personally, it deprived me of a healthy childhood, as well as robbing me of my dignity and sense of self-worth. Although my road to recovery has been long and challenging, with my attacker now serving a life sentence, I can say that justice has been served. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for millions of other people who continue to endure this terrible suffering.
While adversity often drives people to overcome challenges, many have lost their fight, and countless others continue to suffer in silence, carrying the weight of shame for what they were forced to endure. It is essential not to let the actions of others determine your future. We must strive for excellence, but also be careful not to become consumed by anger, hatred and the desire for revenge. The pursuit of justice is important, but true peace and happiness do not depend on achieving justice. True peace and happiness are born from an internal decision we make every day, allowing us to build a healthy and fulfilling future.
I am a survivor — or, as I prefer to call myself, a “survivor”. For those who are still struggling in silence, I want to share that there is hope and a future as long as you continue to persist and fight. The best form of revenge is to live a full and meaningful life. What others do to you does not define who you are — only you have the power to determine who you choose to become.
I encourage you to consider supporting organizations dedicated to combating this heinous crime as we work together to eradicate this devastating plague from our world.”
Find out more about the topic: https://www.state.gov/humantrafficking-about-human-trafficking/
