National Campaign Against Human Trafficking Culminates in International Day

National Campaign Against Human Trafficking Culminates in International Day Against Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking
On September 23, 2014, communities across Honduras took part in events for International Day Against Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking. The event marks the end of the “National Campaign Against Trafficking in Persons,” launched by the Commission against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking (CICESCT), the Government of Honduras, the Institutional Support Programme against Trafficking (SICTE), and Global Communities with support the U.S. State Department.
The “National Campaign Against Trafficking in Persons,” which ran from June to September, worked to help educate Hondurans on the potential signs of human trafficking to help identify those who have been trafficked as well as prevent those at risk from being exploited. It also aimed to create a culture where such crimes are not tolerated. Human trafficking occurs when humans are captured, transported, transferred or bought and sold to be subjected to various forms of exploitation, including sexual exploitation, forced marriage, labor, or organ removal. Other forms of exploitation include forcing children to earn money by begging, illegal adoption, and the use of minors in organized crime. In Central America, many migrants, including unaccompanied minors, who are seeking to move further north are often at risk of being trafficked.
The International Day Against Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking is serving as the culmination of the campaign, with events across the country. Along the northern coast, Global Communities is partnering with the organization Samaritan’s Purse to put an event at a local school. In Puerto Cortes, a port city near the border with Guatemala, an event will take place at the city’s main plaza to help raise awareness. Just to the south in San Pedro Sula, a city that has long suffered from high crime and violence, the mayor of the city is leading a march through town to fight against trafficking. And in Tegucigalpa, the capital, a large event is being held, featuring a speech by the First Lady of Honduras Ana Garcia Hernandez.  
While this one campaign may now be finished, it is hoped that it had a lasting impact on the awareness of human trafficking in the country. In addition, CICESCT and Global Communities will continue to work throughout Honduras to continue to educate people, coordinate government response, and help stop the illegal sale of human beings, and assist those that have been victimized.  
To learn more about the plight of victims of trafficking, please view the video testimonials of Diana and Dennis below. They are victims of trafficking who traveled from Honduras as undocumented migrants with dreams of a better future and whose dreams quickly turned to nightmares as they faced hardship, exploitation, and unimaginable conditions.