Human Trafficking Awareness Days in North America
Canada Procrastinates in Recognizing a National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
To some these may be considered angel numbers. Perhaps, it depends on how you see them. These specific numbers represent two extraordinary dates during every calendar year in North America. Each is designed to bring awareness to this horrific crime in the United States, Canada and around the world. However, not all of North America has adopted a national day. Canada, in this case, is the country that continues to lag in solidifying a Federal day dedicated to human trafficking awareness.
1.11 - January 11th
In the United States, January 11th is observed as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. The United States also observes the month of January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month as decreed by presidential proclamation.
2.22 – February 22nd
In Canada to date, only two provinces, Ontario and Alberta, have recognized February 22nd as their Provincial Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Nationally, the Federal Government has yet to officialize February 22nd as its national day.
Canada’s Federal Government Procrastinates
With only two out of the ten provinces and three territories dedicating a day to the cause, this certainly raises some major questions for Canada on a Federal level. This has left Canadian advocates to continuously push forth only to be met with mixed signals from parliament.
Given the devastating human trafficking data reported just last year and the exterior image of what Canada claims to stand for, the motion to officially set February 22nd as its national day conveniently keeps hitting the table.
With this constant rebuttal there is at least a Canadian National Action Plan to combat human trafficking. Free-Them, a key stakeholder, helped to draft and implement this very plan, but in terms of officializing a Federal day, the Canadian government continues to stay mum.
Interestingly enough, M-45, a motion was unanimously agreed upon and already declared back in 2007. Yet ever since, parliament repeatedly refuses to adopt and acknowledge it.
“That, given the unanimous declaration of the House on February 22, 2007, to condemn all forms of human trafficking and slavery, the House: (a) encourage Canadians to raise awareness of the magnitude of modern-day slavery in Canada and abroad and to take steps to combat human trafficking; and (b) recognize the 22nd day of February as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.”
Year after year Free-Them, along with a variety of organizations and committees across Canada continue to press the government on this very motion. In February 2020, after added pressure and another push, Free-Them was met with news from Arnold Viersen, MP of the Peace River, Westlock stating:
“The good news (is) that Parliament had officially recognized February 22 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, (but) unfortunately, we were not able to get unanimous consent in the House of Commons or the Senate.”
Vierson continues by expressing that House Leaders of all parties received hundreds of emails asking for their support. He continues by putting forth encouragement as also the Co-Chair, of The All-Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery that all organizations and committees keep writing for official implementation.
February 22nd as Non-Official Day
February 22nd has since existed as a non-official day designated by Free-Them and its allies. Due to the Federal government continuing its roundabout for more than a decade, it calls on activists to raise a variety of questions as to why the House of Commons and the Senate continue to table their efforts.
“The main question is why the Federal government is opposed to a national awareness day that could essentially help educate Canadians on human trafficking and exploitation that is taking place largely throughout Canada and around the world?”
— Free-Them Founder, Shae Invidiata
As Canada currently sits with only two provinces recognizing February 22nd, The United States leads by devoting the entire month of January each year to National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and January 11th as its official Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Globally, in 2013, the United Nations General Assembly declared July 30th as World Day Against Human Trafficking in Persons.
Understanding Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is commonly known as modern-day slavery, a hidden crime that takes place across the globe 24/7/365. There are no days off in any calendar year for a trafficker. The U.S. Department of Defense defines human trafficking as a “Crime in which force, fraud or coercion is used to compel a person to perform labour, services or commercial sex. It affects all populations: adults, children, men, women, foreign nationals, U.S. citizens and all economic classes.”
With the New Year upon us, we easily have over three hundred days to make a difference! What better time than the present to learn to recognize the signs of human trafficking? Do you know them? According to the Royal Mounted Canadian Police here are some warning signs to look for:
A victim of human trafficking may show one or more of these signs:
Appears to be controlled by someone else (i.e. being escorted or watched)
Shows visible signs of branding or scarring (indicating ownership by the trafficker)
Shows signs of malnourishment
Doesn't speak on their own behalf
Doesn't have a passport or other ID
Isn't familiar with the neighbourhood they live or work in
Is frequently moving or being moved
Has injuries or bruises from physical abuse
Expresses fear/intimidation through facial expressions and/or body language
One of the first steps to combating human trafficking is to identify victims so they can be rescued and help bring their perpetrators to justice. The Blue Campaign, created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has developed several resources designed to bring awareness and educate others on the indicators of human trafficking.
Hope for Justice, a not-for-profit organization in the United States “Believes that awareness leads to action,” and U.S. Tennis Champion, Arthur Ashe could not have said it any better, “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” Your community is the perfect place to start to help raise awareness that could ultimately help rescue victims of human trafficking.
The more people who are aware of not just the facts, but also the signs of human trafficking can feel confident when reporting their concerns to the local police or human trafficking hotlines. In doing so, you’re not only making a difference but taking action in saving the lives of others.
How can you help Canada get M-45 to pass? Arnold Viersen, MP of the Peace River, Westlock and Co-Chair, of The All-Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking suggests the following:
Send a short email or statement from your organization requesting House & Senate Leaders support unanimous consent for the motions as soon as Parliament resumes on February 18-21 (Please copy his office arnold.viersen.a2@parl.gc.ca).
Encourage your membership to send emails to the list of House & Senate Leaders requesting that Parliament recognize Feb 22 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Post on Social Media about National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
