Events
(September 25) President Obama Gives Historic Speech on Modern Slavery at the Clinton Global Initiative
Credited as the longest presidential speech on slavery since Abraham Lincoln, President Obama spotlighted the courage of survivors and outlined his Administration’s priorities on human trafficking in an address to leaders from around the world at the Clinton Global Initiative held in New York City on September 25, days after the United States celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
(November 21) Acting Assistant Secretary George Sheldon Commits to Strengthen Response to Child Trafficking at National Colloquium on Shelter and Services
In his keynote speech at a national colloquium on services for domestic minor victims of sex trafficking, George Sheldon outlined the importance of improving services, engaging survivors, and strengthening the child welfare system’s response to better identify and protect children vulnerable to human trafficking. The event was co-hosted by Shared Hope International, ECPAT USA, and the Protection Project at Johns Hopkins University.
George Sheldon, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Administration of Children and Families, chaired a national convening of 40 anti-trafficking stakeholders representing service providers, advocates, juvenile justice professionals, philanthropy, and researchers at the White House. The day-long series of conversations is the first of other public engagement efforts that will help inform the Federal Strategic Action Plan on victim services, co-chaired by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, and Homeland Security.
Campaigns
(June 8) Can you see me?
Can You See Me? is a public awareness campaign with the purpose of equipping the general public to recognize indicators of human trafficking, reaching victims, and arresting traffickers. Our goal is to turn awareness into action by equipping people to report tips and occurrences to national hotlines if trafficking is suspected so that more victims identified and assisted.
We believe that an increase in reports will lead to an increase in victim identification.
This campaign exists to bring awareness of the millions of men, women, and children who are currently trapped in slavery across the world. By partnering with law enforcement, governments, businesses, and NGOs, we are turning awareness into action.
(August 19) Walk for freedom
Walk For Freedom is a global fundraising and awareness event. Rallying thousands of abolitionists, taking millions of steps, showing up in hundreds of cities all over the world, Walk For Freedom is an outward expression of our inward desire to see slavery completely abolished. Every October in communities around the world, you’ll see us–21st century abolitionists–walking in single-file lines wearing all-black with a message that can’t be ignored: slavery still exists.
By now it’s clear that slavery will not end on its own. And if you aren’t sure what to do about that, start by showing up.