Commemorating National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which culminates in the annual observation of National Freedom Day on February 1, 2020.
The International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute (IBWPPI) abhors all forms of human trafficking and supports policy solutions that restore victim’s human rights. In the United States, there are more than 600,000 to 800,000 people being trafficked annually across international borders and 40% percent of sex trafficking victims in the United States are Black women and girls.
IBWPPPI’s Human Trafficking Position Paper
In September 2019, IBWPPI released a position paper “Slavery by Another Name: The Epidemic of Black Female Trafficking Victims in the US and Abroad” at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference. The paper presents the case for meaningful policy changes that addresses Black females’ vulnerability due to being impoverished, lacking permanent housing or job skills, and having contact with the foster care system.
Call to Action
We encourage you to read our position paper and share how you envision using the information in your work. If you have expertise in human trafficking, please contact us at policy@ibwppi.org.
Consider giving a donation to IBWPPI to support our ongoing work in the field or becoming a member to ensure we prevent our girls and young women from being exploited domestically and globally.
Human Trafficking Resource
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.
If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation:
Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline at 1-888-373-7888
Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates are available 24/7 to take reports of potential human trafficking.
Text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 233733. Message and data rates may apply.
Chat the National Human Trafficking Hotline via www.humantraffickinghotline.org/chat.
Save the Date: Upcoming Human Trafficking Community Awareness Event
Human Trafficking Panel at the United Nations
IBWPPI has been invited to present at a human trafficking parallel event in conjunction with United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (Session 64) in New York City. Our event is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 at 2:30 PM and will be cosponsored by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and other women-centered organizations.
For more information, e-mail policy@ibwppi.org
IBWPPI to Host Trafficking Policy Roundtable in Atlanta
IBWPPI will convene advocates, service providers and community leaders for a policy roundtable to raise awareness about the human trafficking epidemic in the Atlanta region and across our international borders. An official invite with the date and location will be shared in the coming weeks!
January is National Mentoring Month
President Barbara Perkins with Susan L. Taylor, Founder of National CARES Mentoring Movement
“Every child deserves to be mentored. Every child deserves to feel protected and nurtured. Every child deserves to feel that they have a chance at doing and being something great in life.”
-Barbara A. Perkins, President of IBWPPI
January is designated as National Mentoring Month. During this month, make it a point to connect with your mentor or mentee to simply tell them you appreciate them. We all know the significant impact a mentor can play in one’s life and how small acts of kindness can follow an individual well beyond the time a mentorship lasts.
Book Fundraiser
Consider gifting yourself, a mentee or mentor with the book “ The Magic of Mentoring: Pearls of Wisdom,” written by Barbara A. Perkins. One hundred percent of the proceeds in January and February will be donated to IBWPPI.
Start off the New Year by Becoming a Member of IBWPPI
As we continue to adjust to the new normal, we want IBWPPI to be a home for Black women who want to connect, heal and support one another. Consider gifting yourself with a free membership and joining a network of global Black women. Become a member today by filling out the membership form here.
Why Join IBWPPI?
IBWPPI started 10 years ago in the spirit of global unity and sisterhood. Our mission is to connect and advocate for Black women globally through acts of kindness and public policy. We thank our members and ask that you continue your support of IBWPPI and ask others to join us.
