January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This month the Colorado Department of Human Services reaffirms its commitment to protect and empower survivors of all forms of human trafficking, to prosecute traffickers, and to bring an end to human trafficking in the United States and around the world.

Human trafficking — whether in the form of forced labor, sex trafficking, or other offenses — is an abhorrent abuse of power and a profoundly immoral crime that strikes at the safety, health, and dignity of millions of people worldwide. Human Trafficking is a complicated issue and it’s not easy to identify. Many people don’t understand what it is, or are not aware that it happens in all communities, meaning it often goes undetected and is difficult to prosecute.

In Colorado, human trafficking of minors is included in the definitions of child abuse and neglect. Many factors that can impact families can also be exploited by traffickers. To learn more about child trafficking visit co4kids.org.

Explore the following local and national resources and training opportunities for supporting survivors of trafficking and adults and minors at risk of exploitation.

Learning Opportunities

Partnering to Protect-Keeping Kids Safe From Exploitation and Trafficking in Our Communities Virtual Session: Wednesday, January 22^nd from 12 PM to 1 PM. Hosted by Truckers Against Trafficking and National Safe Place Network

Human Trafficking Awareness Fair Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 10 am-1 pm VA Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center- Aurora, Colorado VA Programs and Community Partners serving adults impacted by human trafficking

Labor and sex trafficking in Colorado Thursday, January 23 and Tuesday, January 28th. Hosted by Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking and Violence Free Colorado.

Interactive Tools to Support Child Welfare Workers in Their Response to Human Trafficking (The Administration for Children and Families)
Access two new anytime microlearnings developed for frontline professionals who work with children to strengthen screening for human trafficking and safety planning. These 30-minute modules are designed for quick, digestible, and interactive training.