Every January, my inbox and social media feeds are flooded with posts, campaigns, and hashtags about Human Trafficking Awareness Month. From big organizations to well-meaning individuals, the internet has become a chorus of "raising awareness" about human trafficking. But as a survivor, this month feels hollow to me. Here's why I choose not to recognize Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and why I believe we need to rethink how we approach this issue.
1. The Perpetuation of False Narratives and Statistics
Many people and organizations claiming to spread awareness continue to share false or oversimplified narratives about human trafficking. These narratives often reduce trafficking to dramatic kidnapping scenarios or perpetuate myths like “stranger danger” when, in reality, most trafficking victims are exploited by someone they know and trust.
The statistics often shared during this month are equally problematic. Inflated or outdated numbers are recycled, making it harder for the public to understand the true scope and nature of trafficking. This misinformation doesn’t just obscure the problem—it undermines the very awareness these campaigns claim to promote. For survivors like me, it’s a painful reminder of how the realities of our experiences are misrepresented and commodified for clicks and shares.
2. Lip Service to "Supporting Survivors"
"Support survivors" is a common refrain during Human Trafficking Awareness Month, but too often, it’s just words. Many of the same organizations and individuals preaching support fail to include survivors in meaningful ways. Survivors are rarely given seats at the table in leadership, employment, or strategic planning. Our voices are excluded from the very decisions that affect us.
When survivors are brought in, it’s often for tokenistic purposes—to share a personal story for shock value, without being compensated or supported. Genuine support means investing in survivors as leaders, collaborators, and experts. Anything less is performative and perpetuates the very power dynamics that allow trafficking to thrive.
3. Twenty-Four Years of Awareness, and the Problem is Worse
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) was passed in 2000, marking a turning point in federal efforts to combat human trafficking. Twenty-four years and countless awareness campaigns later, the problem isn’t better—it’s worse. Trafficking is more widespread, lucrative, and complex than ever.
If awareness alone were enough to solve this issue, we’d have seen significant progress by now. The focus on awareness campaigns has become a distraction from the systemic failures that allow trafficking to persist. We need action: comprehensive policies, survivor-centered solutions, and accountability for those who exploit and enable exploitation.
However, the ability, resources, support, and funding to enact action MUST be centered around survivors. Until society accepts this and those claiming to be allies take a step out back into a supportive role instead of the lucrative or rewarding role of leadership, ineffective "awareness" will be the only thing that continues to happen as real systematic change will be impossible.
Rethinking Awareness
Human Trafficking Awareness Month could be a powerful opportunity to spark meaningful change—but only if we’re honest about what’s not working. Instead of performative awareness, let’s commit to:
Centering survivor voices in leadership, advocacy, and policy-making.
Challenging false narratives and educating the public with accurate information.
Funding and supporting survivor-led organizations and initiatives.
Holding systems and individuals accountable for enabling trafficking.
Awareness without action is empty. Survivors like me don’t need hashtags or ribbons; we need genuine, systemic change. Begin with allowing us to "step out of the darkness and into the light"... the spotlight. Take a step back and let survivors step forward. Until that happens, Human Trafficking Awareness Month will continue to be nothing more than an empty promise.
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