Dr. Michael Smith and Monica Carrasco interviewed during Human Trafficking Awareness Day Prayer Vigil

    January 11 was the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. In Los Angeles, The Salvation Army joined other anti-trafficking organizations in The LA Unity Coalition to help bring much needed attention to this serious social problem. U.S. State Department officials opine that nearly one million children are forced into the sex trade each year. U.S. government experts estimate that as many as 27 million persons worldwide are trafficked; of that number 17,500 new victims are brought into the US each year.

The Salvation Army, along with its partners in this coalition is committed to bringing an end to this grave injustice and relief to its victims. The awareness day, and its attendant activities, which included a prayer service held at Father Serra Park in downtown Los Angeles, signaled a “call to action” for all who wish to work to end the exploitation of vulnerable persons. Individuals can get involved through their financial support of The Salvation Army which works to identify, rescue, and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking.
 To learn more about the issue or to volunteer to conduct awareness training or victim outreach, please contact Dr. Michael Smith at (213) 553-3278