January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, bringing attention to the cause all over the nation since 2010. During this month, the efforts of foreign governments, international organizations, anti-trafficking entities, law enforcement officials, survivors and survivor advocates, communities of faith, businesses, and private citizens all around the world are celebrated.
Human trafficking is not simply a foreign crime illustrated by shackles and chains. Human trafficking, or trafficking in persons, is an international and domestic concern affecting men, women, and children by both labor and sex trafficking. Traffickers utilize force, fraud, and/or coercion to take advantage of someone with a vulnerability that can be exploited, often for financial gain.
Traffickers often coerce their victims into engaging in illegal criminal activity that affect the criminal records of the victims far greater than the trafficker or pimp. Survivors of human trafficking having escaped their situations, because of this, still feel the lasting effects of their abuse. Their ability to find employment, housing, and other needs to fulfill their quality of life is negatively affected. Virginia’s legislation, in addition, serves as a barrier.
For 2026, the Virginia Coalition Against Human Trafficking is excited to lobby at the 2026 Virginia General Assembly Session. With the first day of the General Assembly Session on January 14, 2026, what could mark National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month better?
VCAHT’s priorities for the 2026 General Assembly session include forfeiture reform, vacatur expansion, and safe harbor protections. There’s no better way to bring awareness to human trafficking and celebrate the efforts of our survivor advocates than to show up and show out in 2026 and encourage your state representatives to pass important legislation!
Follow our socials or email info@vcaht.org to stay in touch about VCAHT’s 2026 lobby days during such a significant month for our movement! To find your legislator, follow this link.