In observance of National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month, the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force is sponsoring Alabama Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Monday, January 11. Partnering with the Alabama League of Municipalities, mayors across the state have been asked to sign proclamations during the month of January in observance of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Several of the municipalities have also declared themselves Trafficking Free Zones as defined by the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking.

Most recently, the cities of Center Point, Cullman, Hoover, Northport, Vestavia Hills, and Trussville have been declared TraffickingFree Zones and also approved Human Trafficking Awareness Month Proclamations along with the municipalties of Alabaster, Bay Minette, Beatrice, Brent, Calera, Chelsea, Columbiana, Dothan, Enterprise, Fairview, Gardendale, Geraldine, Good Hope, Hanceville, Headland, Mulga, Prattville, Tuscaloosa, Vincent, and Vinemont. Others will take place in Clay (Jan, 12), Mountain Brook (Jan. 12), Madison (Jan.25), and Birmingham (Date TBD).

This coordinated effort is the seventh annual Alabama Human Trafficking Awareness Day and will be presented annually to spread awareness of human trafficking across our state while aligning with the national observation. The Junior League of Tuscaloosa formed a special committee to join the fight to abolish human trafficking. The primary goals of this team are communication with the community and education for those who want to help. The Junior League of Tuscaloosa has partnered with several organizations that are deep in the fight including West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, Junior League Birmingham, and END IT Alabama.

Human Trafficking Awareness Day precedes the End It Alabama Summit to be held on January 28 – 29. The virtual training is open to the public and will include a variety of presentations. Highlighted speakers include Lisa and Henry Mann who will share insight into the experiences that parents of a trafficked child face; Pamela Casey, an Alabama District Attorney who will speak on the importance of internet safety and the connection to human trafficking; Amy Joy, a trafficking survivor and Professor at Lansing Community College who will not only tell her story but also give information on how to best prevent human trafficking.

The purpose and agenda of the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force include the following:

1. To combat all aspects of human trafficking, including sex trafficking and labor trafficking.
2. To pursue a comprehensive response to crimes of human trafficking.
3. To coordinate strategies to provide necessary services for victims of human trafficking.
4. To focus prevention efforts to end the demand for human trafficking and create awareness through education and community initiatives.
5. To develop legislation to prevent, intervene, and treat human trafficking.

The Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force was established in 2014 and meets quarterly. Meetings are open to the public. For more information about the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force or to register for the End It Alabama Summit, please visit www.enditalabama.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/enditalabama or on Twitter @enditalabama.