In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly established 30 July as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Every country in the world is affected by human trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims. Women and girls continue to be the main victims of traffickers globally.
Trafficking in persons is a serious crime, a violation of human rights, a form of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, and abuse of power for the purpose of exploitation.
This year’s theme, Victims’ Voices Lead the Way, emphasizes the importance of listening to and learning from trafficking survivors and their painful experiences, so as to turn their suggestions into concrete actions to help combat this extremely serious issue. Many victims of human trafficking have had traumatic experiences and have faced the challenge of ignorance or misunderstanding in their attempts to get help after rescue, during identification interviews, and in legal proceedings.