National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, observed on January 11, is a call to join our collective movement to protect vulnerable individuals from human trafficking around the globe. As an organization, we partnered with communities across the U.S. and asked them to take a stand and Join the Fight™ against sex trafficking and child exploitation.
“National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in the fight,” said Tammy Lee, CEO of Our Rescue. “On this day and every day, we shine a light on the darkness of sex trafficking and child exploitation while honoring survivors, and empowering communities with the tools and knowledge they need to take action. Together, we can be a force multiplier for good and create a future where every child is safe from online predators and every person is freed from sexual slavery.”
In the News
Strong media coverage, featuring Our Rescue leaders, amplified the reach and visibility of our Join the Fight campaign and events in key markets.
Minneapolis/St. Paul
- WCCO-TV and WCCO-TV.com: Local organizations raising awareness, fighting to stop human trafficking, with Our Rescue Tammy Lee and Our Rescue’s Director of Survivor Engagement June Haskell
- KSTP-TV: Online Safety for Kids Day at Mall of America
- KSTC-TV/45: Online Safety for Kids Day at Mall of America
- Perham Focus Online: Happenings around the Perham area, Jan. 9-19
Salt Lake City
- KUTV-TV Fresh Living and FreshLiving.com: Our Rescue’s Join The Fight Campaign with Our Rescue’s Jerry Gowen
- KUCW-TV and KJZZ-TV, affiliates of KUTV, also aired the segment
- KTVX-TV Good Things Utah and Good Things Utah.com: Join The Fight! Together with Our Rescue we can end human trafficking with Our Rescue’s Roger Cook
Los Angeles & Eastern Ventura Counties
- Camarillo Acorn: Calendar
- Ventura County Reporter: Happenings: Week of 1/9/2025
Jacksonville
- WJXT-TV.com: River City Plus: National Human Trafficking Awareness Month with Our Rescue volunteer Dar Christianson
Leading the Conversation
Online Safety for Kids at Mall of America – Bloomington, Minnesota
During “Online Safety Day for Kids” at the Mall of America, Our Rescue CEO Tammy Lee, law enforcement officers, and volunteers engaged parents, grandparents, and kids on how to navigate the online world securely and create safer digital environments for children.
Our Rescue’s K9 detectives Dottie, Welles, and Sandy demonstrated the remarkable ways they assist law enforcement in protecting communities by sniffing out electronic storage devices that may contain harmful content. K9s handlers included Officer Brittany Dillinger of the Hibbing Police Department in Minnesota, Special Agent Hai Tran of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, and Detective Kristina Lindell of the Ankeny Police Department in Iowa.
Day on the Ice – Salt Lake City, Utah
During “Day on the Ice” in Salt Lake City, community members and families joined together for a snowy ice-skating event. Attendees engaged in meaningful discussions about our mission and efforts to combat sex trafficking and child exploitation. Hidu, one of Our Rescue’s specially trained K9s, demonstrated how he assists law enforcement in uncovering evidence of sex trafficking and child exploitation.
Documentary Screening and Q&A – Houston, Texas and Miami, Florida
In Houston and Miami, community leaders gathered for a special screening of Our Rescue’s new documentary “When Survivors Speak: A Light in the Darkness of Human Trafficking.” The film offered a powerful and intimate look into the stories and resilience of survivors, setting the stage for engaging Q&A sessions with Our Rescue’s Matt Osborne and Teresa Harland. During the discussions, attendees learned more about the realities of these crimes and explored ways to make a difference in their communities.
Reps for Rescue Fitness Competition – Various Locations
The “Reps for Rescue” fitness competition united gyms across the country in a spirited effort to support the fight against human trafficking. With 50 teams participating, the event highlighted the power of community and teamwork to raise awareness while raising money to support our mission. Participants pushed their physical limits by doing 41,931 total reps while uniting to inspire action and hope. Congratulations to the Respect the Corners gym in Kona, HI on their win with 52 participants and a total of 17,474 reps.
Join the FightTM
Thanks to the thousands of freedom fighters who joined us on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. You are the light in the darkness of the fight. There’s still time to take the Join the Fight™ Pledge to stand together against sex trafficking and child exploitation. Together, we can save lives and help survivors thrive.