January, The National Slavery And Human Trafficking Prevention Month

As the first month of the new year comes to a close and we begin to forget about our resolutions, one wakeup-call and action-boosting fact engulfs January and reminds us of a little known trade that goes on in the world.

January marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. It is a motivational month that influences habit.  We wait until January to make changes for fresh starts; healthy eating, running, maybe some traveling, or even saving. January marks the beginning of better things to come so what better month to dedicate to Slavery and Human Trafficking than the first month of the year?

President Barak Obama has made the wise choice of dedicating a month to bringing awareness  to modern day slavery and choosing January as the beginning of changes to come.

Obama’s Presidential Proclamation:

“I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2014 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1. I call upon businesses, national and community organizations, faith-based groups, families, and all Americans to recognize the vital role we can play in ending all forms of slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.” 

With this in place, we can all begin to remember the victims and think of ways to help, put an end to, and advocate for change against this billion dollar industry of human slavery.

CW’s Nikita Shines Light On Human Trafficking

How many TV shows can you name that even vaguely mention the topic of human trafficking?

CW’s Nikita, a remake of the French TV show “La Femme Nikita”, shows Alexandra Udinov, a Russian Heiress, using her status and skills in manipulation and street fighting to end human trafficking. 

The show gives a glimpse into Alex’s past when she was drugged and sold in the sex trade. Later, when Alex is stabilized and trained to be a secret government assassin she returns to her roots and works to save victims of human trafficking. In a few episodes, we see Alex personally tracking, finding, and killing pimps while rescuing and freeing victims.

Luckily, Alex does not work alone. Nikita, Michael, and Berkof come together as a team to track powerful individuals who, for the most part, use adults and children as test subjects for new inventions designed for control and power over nations. 

Though the show doesn’t directly focus on ending human trafficking, the villains are powerful heads in the industry and Nikita’s team all work to bring them down.

Nikita had a good four seasons on the CW and I encourage anyone who likes action to watch the show as she teaches viewers a lot about fighting for what matters.