This international day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013.  The theme for this year focuses on first responders to human trafficking and how their efforts need to be sustained and replicated.  These are the people who work in a variety sectors to identify, support, and counsel victims of trafficking, to seek justice for them, and to challenge the impunity of the traffickers.

Here are some links to learn more:

The Anglican Church of Canada

“Human Trafficking and Its First Responders” – an article published on July 29, 2020

This web page on human trafficking includes information about human trafficking globally and in Canada as well as describing the work the Anglican Church is doing with partners to end human trafficking.

The Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), a partner of Anglican Church of Canada, released this statement.  In it, CAPA urged all to “look at the plight of people in our communities who have been reduced to merchandise.”  Within the explanation about human trafficking, this statistical information is included:  “According to the Global Slavery Index (2018) Regional Analysis of Africa, 62% of Africans are vulnerable to modern slavery and the estimated number of people living in modern slavery is about 9,240,000.”  Read about CAPA on the Anglican Church website or visit CAPA’s website to discover what our Anglican siblings are doing in Africa.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

This news posting on July 24, 2020 provides many links to additional resources including those from The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, KAIROS, Canadian Council of Churches, Canadian Council for Refugees, and the RCMP.

The ELCIC’s 2013 National Convention committed to addressing human trafficking with this resolution.

The United Church of Canada

One of the Minutes for Mission articles from 2019 highlights how Mission and Service Funds have supported the work of the United Church’s partner, Church of North India, in combatting human trafficking.

Government of Canada

National Strategy To Combat Human Trafficking 2019-2024

United Nations

This page on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime includes stories of people on the front line working to end human trafficking both in print and video.

“Committed to the Cause — Working on the Frontline to End Human Trafficking”, via United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime