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Awareness MonthHuman Trafficking

Recognizing Human Trafficking Awareness Month

By Rachel BauldreeJanuary 22, 2025No Comments

*Resources below*

 

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, a time to amplify the voices of survivors, increase public understanding, and mobilize efforts to combat the pervasive crime of human trafficking. Human trafficking is a global crisis that affects millions of individuals, with women and girls disproportionately targeted. Traffickers exploit vulnerabilities, often preying on victims through manipulation, coercion, or force for purposes such as sexual exploitation, forced labor, or domestic servitude. The crime thrives in secrecy, making awareness and education crucial to disrupting trafficking networks and supporting survivors.

At the Conference on Crimes Against Women (CCAW), we recognize that addressing human trafficking requires a multidisciplinary approach. From law enforcement and healthcare professionals to advocates and legal experts, collaboration is key to dismantling trafficking networks and providing comprehensive support to survivors. CCAW offers a platform to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and foster innovation in the fight against human trafficking.

Through dedicated workshops, keynote sessions, and survivor-led panels, we ensure that human trafficking remains a focal point of our conference. These sessions delve into the complexities of trafficking, providing attendees with actionable strategies for prevention, identification, and intervention. Sessions offered at the upcoming conference related to human trafficking listed below.

Human Trafficking Awareness Month is an opportunity for everyone to contribute to the fight against this crime. Here are some ways you can get involved:

  • Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the signs of human trafficking and share this knowledge within your community.
  • Support Local Organizations: Volunteer your time or donate to organizations that assist trafficking survivors.
  • Advocate for Policy Change: Work to support legislation that strengthens anti-trafficking efforts and survivor services.
  • Join Us at CCAW 2025: Attend the conference to connect with professionals dedicated to combating human trafficking and other crimes against women. Together, we can turn awareness into action.

Human trafficking is a crime that thrives on silence and ignorance. By dedicating January to awareness and action, we take a collective step toward breaking this cycle. At CCAW, we’re committed to fostering a community that is informed, empowered, and equipped to make a difference.

 

Resources from CCAW programs on Human Trafficking:

Click each title to access the resource.

 

CCAW Workshops: Human Trafficking-focused

All of these workshops will be available to attend at the upcoming 2025 Conference on Crimes Against Women:

  • All Out in the Open: Using OSINT in Human Trafficking Investigations
Human trafficking investigators and analysts often face challenges in utilizing open-source intelligence (OSINT) in their investigations. What also can be difficult is investigating without victim cooperation or possessing the proper technical tools that could enhance those investigations. In this workshop, the presenter(s) will guide attendees through the process of using publicly available information to identify human trafficking victims and target offenders. The discussion will also cover how to conduct these operations effectively with minimal funding and manpower. Additionally, the presenter(s) will demonstrate how these OSINT tools can be applied to a variety of criminal investigations beyond human trafficking. 
  • Building Better Teams: Why & How it Matters for Human Trafficking Cases
How can disciplines with different approaches and priorities work together effectively on behalf of trafficking victims, and why is this so necessary to help restore victims and build successful criminal prosecutions? This workshop will outline the practical foundations for understanding similarities and differences in the goals and expectations of diverse partners, underscore critical approaches in building rapport with victims, and meaningful relationships between the criminal justice system and victim service providers in your community.  
  • Considerations for Recording Human Trafficking Victim Interviews
Victim disclosures are often the cornerstone of human trafficking prosecutions, and trauma-informed interviews play a vital role in facilitating these critical revelations. Key considerations include the importance of obtaining informed consent, the challenges and benefits of conducting multiple interviews, and the preparation of law enforcement officers to testify effectively. Strategies for presenting victim disclosure evidence at trial are also essential components of the process. This workshop is designed to help multidisciplinary stakeholders identify the objectives of victim interviews, evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of recording these interviews, and understand how recordings can influence the interview goals. The presenter(s) will provide insights into best practices for building successful cases and supporting victims throughout the legal process. 
  • Correcting the Causes & Consequences: Victim-Offender Overlap in Sex Trafficking Prosecutions
Research indicates that 54% of females charged in federal sex trafficking cases were previously victims of trafficking themselves. This workshop explores the historical roots of criminalizing sex trafficking victims, examines why this practice persists, and highlights its profound impact on survivors. The presenter(s)—a researcher, two survivor-leader researchers, and a former federal prosecutor—will discuss policy and practice reforms to address this ongoing issue. Blending data, research, and lived experiences, this workshop offers a unique perspective that combines expertise from researchers, practitioners, and survivors. The presenter(s) will conduct a deeper dive into the intersection of victimization and criminalization and explore actionable strategies to bring about meaningful change. 
  • From the Street, for the Street: Trafficking Through the Lens of Lived Experience
Trauma-informed and survivor-informed care are essential for achieving successful outcomes when addressing sex trafficking. Insights from a survivor who is now a forensic nurse and private investigator working undercover with traffickers and victims, both domestically and internationally, will offer a unique perspective for attendees. This workshop will analyze the language and secrets of the “life” to build rapport with trafficked victims, saving time in the investigative process. The presenter(s) will discuss digital trends involving children and sexual exploitation, symptomatic interview techniques to gather more effective intelligence, and terminology commonly used by pimps and victims. Advocacy strategies from a survivor’s perspective will be highlighted, along with the intersection of domestic violence, sexual assault, strangulation, and sex trafficking. These connections are crucial for prosecutions and lifesaving interventions. 
  • The Hidden Faces of Human Trafficking: Expanding the Narrative & Empowering Survivors
Human trafficking isn’t confined to dramatic depictions of abductions or far-flung crime syndicates—it’s often far closer to home. Trafficking happens behind closed doors, where spouses force their partners into domestic servitude. It happens in kitchens, where undocumented workers labor under threats of deportation for little or no pay. It happens to nannies caring for children, unable to leave because their documents are withheld or their freedom restricted. Together, society can move beyond stereotypes, amplify the voices of those trapped in hidden servitude, and ensure that every survivor knows there is a path to safety, justice, and hope. This workshop challenges society’s narrow understanding of human trafficking, revealing the everyday exploitation hiding in plain sight. The presenter(s) will shed light on how trafficking manifests in homes and workplaces across the U.S. Using real-life examples, the transformative power of T visas, U visas, and VAWA—three underutilized legal pathways that help survivors regain their freedom and build secure futures—will be discussed. Additionally, this workshop is designed for attendees to walk away with a redefined understanding of trafficking and practical knowledge to advocate for survivors effectively. Together, we can move beyond stereotypes, amplify the voices of those trapped in hidden servitude, and ensure that every survivor knows there is a path to safety, justice, and hope.
  • Human Trafficking, Forced Criminality, & Justice-involved Folks
Forced criminality, or criminal exploitation, is recognized as a form of labor trafficking in the law, but is only beginning to be recognized/identified in the justice system in very limited ways. As society continues to incarcerate victimized and vulnerable people, service providers and practitioners must understand the coercive element of forced criminality. Additionally, every time a victimized person is incarcerated, the traffickers abuse of the legal system is reinforced thereby making justice-involved people become ever more vulnerable to exploitation and subsequent recidivism. The presenter(s) of this workshop will educate attendees on how to identify elements of labor trafficking-forced criminality (LTFC), describe the vulnerabilities of justice-involved people while incarcerated and after release, and share strategies on how to advocate for best practices to address LTFC at various systems levels. 
  • Legal Jiu-Jitsu: Combatting Witness Intimidation in Human Trafficking Cases
Human trafficking often morphs into witness intimidation once investigations and prosecutions are initiated. In collaboration with law enforcement and victim services, prosecutors can both support victim participation and identify evidence that can be used against traffickers to strengthen cases of sex and labor trafficking. This workshop adheres to the core philosophy of jiu-jitsu which is to use the opponent’s force against themselves. When combating witness intimidation in tandem with human trafficking, prosecutors and law enforcement can take one of the most pervasive tools used by traffickers to quiet their victims to instead, bring the victim’s voice into court via forfeiture by wrongdoing. The presenter(s) will discuss strategies to protect victims and strategies to bring their voices into the courtroom when traffickers have relied on witness intimidation to prevent them from testifying.  
  • Operation Nightmare: Proactive Undercover Operations in Human Trafficking within the BDSM Subculture
The intersection of human trafficking and the BDSM subculture presents unique investigative challenges and complexities. Within this framework, traffickers exploit the dynamics of consent and control inherent to the BDSM community, often masking exploitative behavior under the guise of consensual practices. Members of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led North Texas Trafficking Task Force (NTTTF) to uncover and address these hidden crimes. This workshop will highlight the efforts of the NTTTF to navigate the intricacies of these cases, shedding light on how traffickers manipulate power dynamics and exploit victims in this subculture. The presenters will provide insight into investigative strategies used to identify trafficking within BDSM contexts, build trust with victims, and distinguish between consensual activities and coercion. 
  • A Strategy for Success: Bringing Traffickers to Trial
Human trafficking cases often involve challenging victim and witness dynamics, including vulnerabilities such as prior criminal histories, undocumented status, histories of prostitution, mental illness, substance addiction, and hostility toward the legal system. Witnesses may share similar backgrounds, presenting unique obstacles for prosecutors. Building strong cases in the face of such complexities requires strategic approaches and collaborative efforts. This workshop will explore practical strategies for prosecuting human trafficking cases. The presenter(s) will describe methods to leveraging the power of the grand jury and well-structured charges, utilizing a trial map, and reframing juror perspectives through voir dire to transform case weaknesses into strengths. Key topics will include building corroboration post-filing, flipping buyers and co-defendants, structuring trial line-ups to emphasize strengths, and countering common defenses with expert testimony and other tools. Additionally, the workshop will emphasize the importance of collaborating with law enforcement during investigations to include trafficking co-defendants and corroborative sources, shifting the evidentiary burden from the victim to a broader base of testimonial, digital, and documentary evidence. 

ICCR Webinar: Healthcare Implications for Intimate Partner Violence and Human Trafficking

Presented by Mary Ann Contreras, RN, Injury and Violence Prevention Trauma Service at JPS Healthnetwork.

 

PCAW Episodes: Human Trafficking-focused

Click each title to listen to the corresponding episode.

The very streets of Dallas light up with a somber blue, a hue that’s become the rallying cry against the night’s darkest secret – human trafficking. It was a privilege to have Bianca Davis, CEO of New Friends, New Life, join us to unravel this crisis that casts shadows over our city. With January marking National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, our conversation wove through the brutal realities of the trade, the importance of vigilance, and the powerful legislative milestones that propel our fight forward.

Faced with the chilling statistic of four hundred trafficked teen girls a night in Dallas alone, the magnitude of this issue is staggering. We dug into the subtle yet coercive tactics that traffickers use to ensnare victims, often exploiting the most vulnerable among us. Awareness is our strongest weapon, and this dialogue serves as an urgent call to action for all. It’s not just about recognizing the signs; it’s about understanding the hidden languages of control and manipulation that traffickers speak.

And it’s not only about the victims but also the demand that fuels this black-market industry. Engaging men in the conversation around sex trafficking, through innovative programs like the manKINDness Project, is pivotal in dismantling the societal constructs that allow such exploitation to thrive. In crafting a future free from these chains, we highlighted the vital partnerships between support networks like Genesis and New Friends New Life. Their collaborative efforts not only rescue survivors but also equip them with the tools to rebuild and thrive. Our episode is a clarion call – a plea for engagement and education in the digital age where predators lurk behind screens, targeting our youth. Together, we can turn awareness into action and transform the narrative of human trafficking.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime defines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit. Domestically, per the United States Dept. of Justice, the definition is similar, stating that trafficking of persons involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. Locally, the Texas Attorney General’s Office also includes in its definition that human trafficking is modern-day slavery. Wherever you are in the world, individuals are suffering at the hands of offenders whose tips and tricks are so insidious that it seems impossible to combat. However, ranging from the simple, yet skillful, to the sophisticated, effective law enforcement investigations are happening that are ultimately holding offenders accountable. This episode will explore various facets of those investigations with seasoned investigator Joseph Scaramucci, and discuss both the pitfalls and best practices that can determine an investigation’s level of success.

Joseph Scaramucci began his career in law enforcement in 2004, and was promoted to Detective in 2008 with the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office, investigating Crimes Against Persons. Since creating a Human Trafficking Unit in 2014, Detective Scaramucci has conducted sting operations resulting in the arrest of more than 600 sex buyers, and 160 individuals for human trafficking and related offenses, which has led to the identification of over 300trafficking victims. Detective Scaramucci has worked both state and federal investigations as a Task Force Officer with H.S.I., leading to investigations and arrests throughout the U.S. He further advises and participates in sting operations throughout Texas, the U.S., and abroad. Det. Scaramucci is certified in Courts of Law as a Subject Matter Expert in Human Trafficking and has further advised and testified in the State House and Senate, assisting with the creation and passage of laws leading to harsher penalties for human trafficking.

Ten percent – or one in ten – of men are buyers of commercial sex. In doing so they are perpetuating an industry that not only continues the objectification of women but also endangers the lives of women and girls. This episode explores the tactics of sex buyers and the traffickers they work with to buy women and girls for sex, how sex buyers are prosecuted, and what it will take to reduce or eliminate the commercial sex industry. Alisa Bernard and Benjamin Gauen join the conversation to offer perspectives from the front lines of supporting survivors and prosecuting traffickers and sex buyers.

Alisa Bernard is the Equality Model Campaign Manager at World Without Exploitation and has a deep background in and extensive ties to the anti-trafficking movement having collaborated with several major stakeholder groups including the EPIK Project, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, World Without Exploitation. Ms. Bernard previously served as Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Thistle Farms and the Executive Director of Education and Partnerships for the Organization for Prostitution Survivors. She also has developed and facilitated trainings at conferences across the US and Canada as well as authored articles featured in the Seattle Times, Crosscut, and Dignity Journal.

Benjamin Gauen is a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Mr. Gauen leads his office’s work in combatting sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation offenses through investigations and prosecutions, policy development, and community engagement. He has nearly 12 years of extensive felony trial experience specializing in cases involving sex trafficking, sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. He is a member of several anti-trafficking task forces in Washington State and frequently partners with stakeholders to strengthen laws and system responses that help victims and survivors. Additionally, Mr. Gauen conducts training on sex trafficking for prosecutors and law enforcement around the United States. He also serves on the board of directors for the non-profit organization Stolen Youth, which works to end child sex trafficking in Washington state.

Is it possible to end gender-based violence and human trafficking in just one generation? Programs like manKINDness, a men’s advocacy program at New Friends New Life in Dallas, Texas, are working to do that and much more. By addressing gender-based violence and human trafficking directly with young men, the manKINDness program is taking steps to usher in a cultural shift that reverses toxic masculinity and embraces respect. In this episode, Matt Osborne explains the enormity of the problems of human trafficking, objectification of women, pornography addiction, et al, and how educating young men to reject traditional roles of manhood like anger and violence and demand more of themselves and their peers can ensure a safer future for all.

Matt Osborne has been fighting the crime of human trafficking in some form since 2006 and currently leads the New Friends New Life Men’s Advocacy Group in Dallas Texas where he coordinates the activities of one hundred men in North Texas as they mobilize to take action against sex trafficking and exploitation of women and girls by raising awareness through advocacy, education and volunteerism.   Mr. Osborne served a 12-year career with the CIA and U.S. Department of State, where he worked issues related to terrorism against the homeland, illegal narcotics, organized crime and human trafficking. He regularly provided secrets and analysis to U.S. presidents, senior cabinet officials, and the National Security Council. As part of his mission to fight trafficking, Mr. Osborne has led a total of 16 undercover rescue operations that resulted in the liberation of 178 human trafficking victims and in the arrest of 55 traffickers.

Dan Nash co-founded the Human Trafficking Training Center in response to the lack of hands-on, practical skills training for law enforcement officers, advocates et al in the areas of human trafficking investigation and related victim support services. Today, the center provides solutions to law enforcement on conducting investigations that ensure arrests and prosecutions of traffickers, how to interview a possible victim or offender, and how to set up a proactive operation or prepare related reports. As a result of this work, the center has trained thousands of first responders around the world and increased the number of human trafficking victims rescued and moved to safety. In this discussion Dan Nash, a retired Missouri State Trooper with 27 years of experience in human trafficking investigation, provides real-life examples of how the center’s skills training is used to solve crimes and rescue victims, shares best practices for conducting human trafficking investigations at large national sporting events, explains how the center’s special victims methodology is causing a paradigm shift in law enforcement attitudes toward trafficking victims, and describes the value of including survivor leaders in the work of training law enforcement.

One in four black girls will be sexually abused before the age of 18. Forty-five percent of black women have experienced abuse from an intimate partner. Forty percent of human trafficking victims are black. As fragments of data, these statistics are alarming. Contextualized within the historical experiences of black women and girls in America, they are the results of the sexualization of black women rooted in generational trauma steeped in racism, slavery, dehumanization and so much more. We dive into the history, data and language of these experiences; how they are shaped by policy making and practices in the U.S.; and the role each of us can play in shifting the experience from black woman tropes and victimization to beautifully complex and deserving of multilayered support. Ayana Wallace, Training and Technical Assistance Manager at Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, lends her unique and courageous voice to this conversation providing both history and hands-on understanding of black women survivor needs and experiences. Ms. Wallace has worked for over a decade in the domestic violence field providing direct service to survivors, technical assistance to advocates, law enforcement, community-based partners and faith communities, and toward the advancement of national initiatives that benefit survivors.

Episode three of the third season of the Podcast on Crimes Against Women continues our multi-episode series delving into the criminology of offenders. The third episode in this series welcomes public speaker, victim advocate, trafficking survivor, consultant, Rebekah “Bekah” Charleston. At the age of 17, Bekah became a victim of sex trafficking when she ran away from home. She remained a victim for more than 10 years with multiple traffickers. She was able to escape, and eventually received a full pardon from President Trump in 2020 for the crimes she was forced to commit during her victimization.

In this episode, Bekah helps us take a deeper look into the world of human trafficking and the role of the bottom girl. Bekah explores what a bottom girl is and what her duties generally consist of, the criteria for becoming a bottom girl, and the “benefits” of holding the title of bottom girl. Bekah then delves into Stockholm syndrome in human trafficking victims, the future of decriminalization of bottom girl activity, and how bottom girls are currently treated in the criminal justice system.

National Human Trafficking Resources

Click the title to access these resources.