WRAL tower turns blue for Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Thursday is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. The WRAL tower and buildings in downtown Raleigh will be blue to show support for survivors and spread awareness.

Governor Roy Cooper declared January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Jan. 11, 2024, as Human Trafficking Awareness Day to shed light on this crime and highlight ways North Carolinians can identify and help victims.

According to the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission, North Carolina consistently ranks within the top 10 states in the nation for human trafficking. Except for the time during the pandemic, the number of cases has continued to rise throughout the past five years.

"Human trafficking comes in many forms, impacting millions of people each year worldwide," said NC Department of Administration Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. "To continue fighting this issue we must remain vigilant and educate our communities on potential warning signs."

To raise awareness and show support, several state government buildings in downtown Raleigh will be illuminated in blue as a tribute to survivors and victims of human trafficking.

Visitors can see blue lights on display at the Museum of History, Archdale Building, Old Education Building and others. On Wednesday, people are encouraged to wear blue and share selfies as part of the national #WearBlueDay campaign.

The WRAL tower will be blue Thursday night beginning at sunset.

Human trafficking is a global issue involving the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, buying or selling of human beings for labor and/or services by means of force, fraud or coercion. It is a crime that deprives victims of human dignity and freedom, regardless of race, religion, gender, age, citizenship or socioeconomic status.

In 2021, 223 cases of trafficking in North Carolina were reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Additionally, state-funded victim service agencies in North Carolina reported serving 494 human trafficking survivors during fiscal year 2022-2023.

In recent years, the NC Department of Administration's (NCDOA) Council for Women and Youth Involvement has worked with other state partners to coordinate anti-human trafficking outreach, training and resources. The agency has helped to enact legislation mandating that trafficking prevention and awareness be included in the sexual health education curriculum and provided to all public-school personnel.

Human trafficking is a global issue involving the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, buying or selling of human beings for labor and/or services by means of force, fraud or coercion. It is a crime that deprives victims of human dignity and freedom, regardless of race, religion, gender, age, citizenship or socioeconomic status.

In 2021, 223 cases of trafficking in North Carolina were reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Additionally, state-funded victim service agencies in North Carolina reported serving 494 human trafficking survivors during fiscal year 2022-2023.