July 30 is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This day, which was proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2013, marks the importance of taking steps against human trafficking and exploitation.
This year, the need for action is more urgent than ever, as the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred an increase in human trafficking and exploitation. Vulnerable persons, particularly women and children, are more at risk of becoming victims of trafficking and forced labor as the pandemic displaces communities, disrupts support systems like schools, and makes seasonal work more precarious, leaving workers more likely to be exploited.
According to the UN’s statistics on trafficking victims:
- Women make up 46 percent and girls 19 percent of all trafficking victims.
- Globally, one in every three victims detected is a child.
- The share of children among detected trafficking victims has tripled.
Every year, thousands of men, women, and children become victims of human trafficking. Nearly every country is affected by human trafficking — as a country of origin, a destination, or a consumer of products developed using exploited labor. World Day Against Trafficking in Persons challenges companies around the globe to be aware of the effects of trafficking in their operations.
The Blue Heart Campaign
This year’s theme for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons focuses on the voices of victims of human trafficking, highlighting the need to listen to survivors of human trafficking and turn their recommendations into concrete actions.
The UN’s Blue Heart Campaign was developed to provide resources and support to victims of human trafficking. This includes a trust fund managed by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime that goes directly to humanitarian, legal, and financial aid to survivors, and supports actions that prevent trafficking in persons.
To support World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Assent has taken action and added the Blue Heart Campaign to our corporate social responsibility (CSR) portfolio. We encourage all organizations to get involved by visiting their website and donating.
Working With Manufacturers to Eradicate Human Trafficking
Corporate social responsibility is at the heart of Assent’s mission, and a vital part of how we work with durable goods manufacturers. We work with global businesses and help them collect the data necessary to eliminate human trafficking, slave labor, and exploitation from their supply chains.
As part of our commitment to social good, Assent’s team of experts includes leaders on humanitarian issues who empower clients to protect human rights through their supply chain management actions. Our team has helped develop the Slavery and Trafficking Risk Template, the international standard template for helping companies comply with trafficking and modern slavery legislation.
Assent’s goal is to partner with manufacturers worldwide to build responsible supply chains and promote transparency into where resources come from and how workers are treated. One of the top barriers manufacturers face is access to reliable information from their supply chains — Assent works with these companies and their suppliers to create exploitation-free networks.
To learn more about Assent’s efforts to promote CSR and prevent human trafficking, check out the Assent Platform. You can learn more about human trafficking by following the Blue Heart Campaign on Twitter: @BlueHeartHT.
