On December 31, 2015, President Barack Obama issues a Presidential Proclamation declaring January 2016 National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. December 2015 also signifies the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States. Following President Obama’s lead, Secretary of State John Kerry led a discussion today with the President’s Interagency Taskforce on Human Trafficking, attended by representatives of agencies including the US Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the National Intelligence Agency, and USAID. In his speech, Secretary Kerry stated that the struggle to combat human trafficking is “a fight we can win, but most importantly a fight we have to win.”

Blue Compass, LLC looks forward to further discussion and action on counter-human trafficking during the month of January, culminating in National Freedom Day on February 1st, 2016.

PHOTO: Secretary of State John Kerry at the Interagency Taskforce on Human Trafficking