North Dakotans take time to reflect on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Jan 11, 2025
BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and authorities are encouraging people to wear blue to raise awareness.
"The more we all can stay educated and stay up-to-date on that education is really key," says Ashley Glass, co-founder of Made Worthy.
Made Worthy is an initiative that seeks to educate people on and bring awareness to human trafficking.
The U.S. Department of State says that there are about 27.6 million victims of human trafficking in the world at any given time.
The North Dakota Human Trafficking Task Force says they've served more than 750 victims of human trafficking in our state alone.
Officials say human trafficking can take many forms, including sex slavery, forced domestic work, and more. They say human trafficking can impact any age group at any time.
That's why officials are encouraging you to wear blue today, which is the international color of human trafficking awareness.
"I would just encourage people to find different ways to stay active in learning about trafficking," says Glass. "Just as quickly as we teach someone about it, a trafficker is very quickly figuring out a way to undermine police. "
Glass will also have an educational film on trafficking, Trapped, premiere at the Grand 22 Theatres from January 31 to February 13.