The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, made the decision specifically in 2013 to choose July 30th of every year as the "World Day Against Trafficking in Persons" and to host the "Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking" activity. "Blue heart" is a symbol for the victim. The goal is to raise public awareness of the need to stop human trafficking in diverse communities and to take concrete steps to thwart and end such crimes and human rights violations.
Taiwan citizens have recently fallen victim to human trafficking, cyber-violence, and marine human trafficking after being duped into traveling abroad to work. The city of Kaohsiung is a port and the action plan for fisheries and human rights must be put into effect immediately. The Kaohsiung City Police Department (KCPD) has extended a special invitation to non-governmental organizations on the eve of "World Day Against Trafficking in Persons" to convey love and support the UN's "Blue Heart Campaign" to eradicate human trafficking!
Kaohsiung City Police Department Responds to UN's "Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking" to End Human Trafficking.Photo reproduced from Blue heart official website
The "Stella Maris International Service Center" (海星國際移工服務中心) is the greatest partner of the KCPD and offers housing and care for migrant workers and mariners from other countries. It has provided legal humanitarian help and protection for more than 3,200 migrant workers over the past 14 years, some of whom are victims of human trafficking. In order to create a front-line prevention and control connection network, KCPD also supports its subordinates in carrying out routine education and publicity activities including case investigation, victim identification, accompanying investigation, resettlement, and protection.
Taiwan has been ranked as a Tier 1 country for 14 years running, according to the United States Department of State's 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report. Human trafficking has been actively avoided thanks to the government and populace's tight collaboration, which has gained recognition on a global scale. The KCPD informs the public that human trafficking may occur if identification documents or travel documents are confiscated, freedom of movement is restricted, communication with others is hindered, incorrect money from employment or sex transactions is withheld, physical abuse or violence occurs, there is debt pressure, etc. People should be brave to dial 110 for assistance if there are any indications that you are being victimized.
