Kavitha Sreeharsha, Executive Director of the Global Freedom Center, This week we contemplate awareness about human trafficking, which exploits the dignity of people vulnerable because of factors including poverty, gender inequity, and political instability.  But often left out of that discourse is the vulnerability of those without lawful immigration status, living in the shadows, and [...]

By Melissa Ditmore and Suzanne B. Seltzer, Human trafficking is often discussed in terms of numbers, with estimates of persons trafficked ranging from 700,000 to 2 million to 27 million worldwide.  More often than not, these numbers focus on trafficking of girls and women, which according to the UNESCO Trafficking Statistics Project, “is one of [...]

People are more concerned about trafficking in persons than ever. However, addressing this human rights abuse means we all need to consume goods ethically by learning more about the supply chain of products we purchase.  Recent events surrounding Wal-Mart, especially regarding the tragic garment factory fire that killed more than 100 workers in Bangladesh and [...]

The NY Anti-Trafficking Network and its members have been working to raise awareness about a little known issue: the use of condoms as evidence in prostitution cases. Our clients routinely tell us that they have had condoms confiscated in the course of arrests. Many share a misunderstanding that it is a crime to carry a [...]

By Suzanne B. Seltzer, Today is Human Rights Day, a day to recognize the basic right to dignity and opportunity all of us share. It’s also a chance to think about the best ways to protect our rights, in a way that respects people as individuals and moves us forward together. I work on one of [...]

by James DeWolf Perry of the Tracing Center on Histories and Legacies of Slavery, Exactly 150 years ago today, on September 22, 1862, Abraham Lincoln issued his first Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that as of January 1, 1863: … all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then [...]

  In recognizing January 11th as Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Race-Talk has invited three experts on trafficking in persons to share their thoughts. They have chosen to address a little-examined and nuanced, but crucial, aspect of the trafficking discussion, with a focus on innovative solutions.  They propose relying on empowering workers rather than focusing on [...]