Human Trafficking Awareness Month: Organizations in North Texas Show Support
As people nationwide wear blue to stand with the victims and survivors of human trafficking on Jan. 11 in light of Human Trafficking Awareness Day, organizations in North Texas are chipping in to show support. The month of January has been designated as Human Trafficking Awareness Month since 2010, according to the U.S. Department of State website.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is a term used to define the crime where traffickers exploit and profit from forcing adults or children to provide labor or engage in commercial sex. More than 27 million people are subject to human trafficking worldwide, according to the government website. In 2010, former President Barack Obama declared January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and the tradition has been followed every year since. In 2012, Obama signed an executive order to strengthen protections against trafficking in federal contracting.
Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking in North Texas
The North Texas cluster of The Links, Incorporated, an international nonprofit organization, has partnered with New Friends New Life, a Dallas nonprofit serving survivors of trafficking, to spread awareness about human trafficking across the region on Jan. 11. As a part of this initiative, the organizations have partnered with several churches in the area to play a brief educational video clip during their church services, according to a news release from The Links, Incorporated.
At least 18 churches are going to be part of this regionwide initiative, including St. Luke Community United Methodist Church, Friendship West Baptist Church and more, said Helen Giddings, co-chair of the Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign at The Links, Incorporated. “Many people think that when we’re talking about human trafficking, we’re primarily talking about someone being brought into this country and forced to do free labor,” Giddings said. “That is a part of it, but a larger part is the sex trafficking piece.”
Raising Awareness and Honoring Victims
The goal of this partnership is to make people aware of the resources available to those in need, Giddings said. She said aside from the educational side, another important aspect of this partnership is to honor the victims of human trafficking. Organizers are also asking everyone to wear blue to stand in solidarity with the survivors of human trafficking. “We’re encouraging everybody in the city of Dallas to pay attention to human trafficking,” Giddings said. “Working together, we can make a difference.”
Events and Initiatives
On Jan. 12, the city of Dallas is hosting a luncheon event in recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, according to a news release from the city. During the event hosted by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Gay Donnell Willis, the North Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking will present its annual Champion of Freedom Award to Allies Against Slavery, an Austin-based nonprofit, for its commitment to combating human trafficking and supporting survivors.
In a news release on Friday, the Texas Department of Public Safety also highlighted its Interdiction for the Protection of Children program that provides training to officers to recognize indicators that a child may be a victim, at risk of victimization or missing. The department taught 18 IPC basic courses and four Train-the-Trainer courses, training 695 students and certifying 38 new instructors, the release said. “In 2025, 57 DPS Troopers reported calling in IPC-related traffic stops, resulting in 23 child rescues,” the release said.
How You Can Help
The U.S. Department of State notes 20 ways anybody can help fight human trafficking. These include learning the indicators of human trafficking, calling the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to report, being an informed consumer, volunteering and supporting anti-trafficking efforts, encouraging schools or districts to include human trafficking in their curricula, using social media to raise awareness and more.
CLARIFICATION, 10 a.m., Jan. 12, 2026: This story has been edited to include the name of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church.
Conclusion
Human trafficking is a serious issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It is essential to raise awareness about this crime and support efforts to combat it. By working together, we can make a difference and help bring an end to human trafficking. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, there are resources available to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out and seek support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is human trafficking? Human trafficking is a crime where traffickers exploit and profit from forcing adults or children to provide labor or engage in commercial sex.
Q: How many people are affected by human trafficking? More than 27 million people are subject to human trafficking worldwide.
Q: What can I do to help fight human trafficking? You can learn the indicators of human trafficking, call the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline to report, be an informed consumer, volunteer and support anti-trafficking efforts, and more.
Q: How can I get involved in the fight against human trafficking in North Texas? You can partner with organizations such as The Links, Incorporated and New Friends New Life, attend events and initiatives, and spread awareness about human trafficking in your community.
Q: What resources are available to victims of human trafficking? There are many resources available, including the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline, counseling services, and support groups. You can also reach out to organizations such as New Friends New Life for help.
