January 2025 marks Human Trafficking Prevention Month. This year’s theme highlights the importance of a holistic approach to prevent trafficking. It recognizes the critical intersection of trafficking with other forms of violence and social issues. By connecting the dots between human trafficking, online harassment and abuse, interpersonal violence, and other forms of abuse, we can disrupt multiple forms of exploitation. Understanding factors like economic mobility, the desire for connection, technology, and market dynamics helps prevent predictable recruitment schemes. Building healthy relationships and strengthening the resilience of communities and industries can reduce vulnerabilities and protect against trafficking.
This Human Trafficking Prevention Month calls for collective action to strengthen prevention at every level—individual, relational, community, and societal. We can prevent exploitation by addressing root causes, reducing risks, and increasing protective factors before it starts. We encourage cross-sector collaboration, including partnerships with those who have lived experience, to develop effective, community-driven solutions. Together, we can strengthen our collective efforts to keep everyone safe from human trafficking.
To Connect the Dots, Strengthening Communities, and Prevent Trafficking, Tahoe Youth and Family Services, in collaboration with Live Violence Free, will host two free community awareness and educational events this month. The first event will be on January 16th, showcasing the powerful documentary At What Cost? Developed by Awaken Reno, highlighting the intersection of Human Trafficking and legal prostitution in Nevada, the second will be a human trafficking 101 community training course in collaboration with Partnership Douglas County on January 28th. To register for these events, visit our websites at www.tahoeyouth.org or www.liveviolencefree.org. Space is limited for each event and registration is required.
Our goal is to educate as many people as possible about risks that can make someone vulnerable to trafficking, how traffickers lure and exploit victims, signs and indicators of human trafficking, ways to protect yourself and others, and how we can all play an integral role in ending human trafficking. Together, we can curtail Human Trafficking.
Stay informed and engaged throughout January by visiting the Tahoe Youth and Family Services Website www.tahoeyouth.org and our social media pages for news, resources, and events if you would like more information on human trafficking prevention and education provided by TYFS, email cheyanne@tahoeyouth.org.