Shackles

Human Trafficking

  • The start of slavery: European Slave Trade

    The 1400s marked the start of European slave trading in Africa with the Portuguese transporting people from Africa to Portugal and using them as slaves.
  • John Casor; The First Legal Slave

    John Casor, became the first legally recognized slave in the present United States.
  • Emancipation Proclamation

    In December 6th, 1865 with the Thirteenth Amendment, the Emancipation Proclamation only freed slaves in states not held by the Union. However, human trafficking still continues throughout the world.
  • International Agreement for the Suppression of "White Slave Traffic"

    In 1904, the International Agreement for the Suppression of "White Slave Traffic" was signed and put into action. This agreement was signed to protect women, young and old, from being involved in white slave traffic.
  • Immoral Traffic Prevention Act

    In 1956, India initiated the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, which persecutes the third parties involved in trafficking. These activities included running brothels, living on earnings from sex work, capturing and imprisoning people into prostitution, etc.
  • Polaris Project

    Polaris Project was founded by Derek Ellerman and Katherine Chonand and became a human trafficking hotline. Polaris Project is the biggest organization opposing human trafficking.
  • Human Trafficking Awareness month

    President Obama declared January to be Human Trafficking Awareness month, and Jan. 11, 2011 was named National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. On this day, various individual and aid organizations attempt to increase awareness about human trafficking among the general public.