In 2010, President Obama designated January as “National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month”, and subsequent presidents have renewed this proclamation. The goal is to raise awareness about trafficking in persons and empower the public to take action to prevent and respond to human trafficking.  This year’s theme focuses on the importance of a holistic approach to prevention, recognizing the critical intersection of trafficking with sexual abuse, interpersonal violence and online crime.

Human trafficking includes forced labor, slavery, and commercial sexual exploitation. In Thailand, people are frequently exploited in agriculture, construction, domestic labor, factories, the fishing industry, and commercial sex establishments. Internet-facilitated child trafficking is also on the rise.  Another form of trafficking that has been increasing in Southeast Asia in recent years is trafficking for forced labor at illegal call centers in which people are unwillingly forced to commit cyber-crimes via phone, social media, and fraudulent online sales, investment, and banking schemes. Victims who do not meet their assigned quotas are beaten, threatened at gunpoint, sexually assaulted or subjected to the withholding of food or water. A Thai newspaper recently reported that, “Between October 1, 2024 and January 9, 2025, Thai authorities conducted 255 operations, apprehending 695 individuals in call center schemes”. (https://www.dailynews.co.th/news/4274911/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0WtJKdPCXwsf3UZ2I_4eOJThcUjK8zXj5FM92B82RLkm7pic–4L17Jd4_aem_kTxVTqhIlsXKB0sdsNC2wg).

Founded in 1987, the New Life Center is a pioneer in the field of anti-trafficking, working tirelessly to empower marginalized people and disrupt cycles of human trafficking. Our strategy focuses on prevention and aftercare.

Prevention is key to stemming the flow of exploitation. Over the last five years, the New Life Center has conducted over 50 awareness-raising campaigns focusing on trafficking prevention, safe migration, internet safety, civil law, gender equality, and prevention of interpersonal violence. We also participated in over 200 networking activities, forming strategic alliances with various state and private sector agencies to advance justice and human rights, combat human trafficking and violence against women and children, assist with victim identification, and address issues of statelessness. Through the NLCF’s Sievert Larsson Scholarship program, over 600 students received scholarships to pursue higher education in fields such as psychology, education, hotel and tourism, English, and business administration, exponentially multiplying vocational options for graduates. Additionally, the NLCF supports family and community resilience through life and vocational skills development, social work support, and mental health services and mental health training workshops throughout our community.

The NLCF also provides trauma-informed aftercare services. Over the last five years, 55 survivors of sexual abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence, and other forms of trauma received comprehensive wrap-around care in our residential program. Additionally, over 75 survivors of human trafficking received short-term shelter at the NLCF while Thai police and social workers conducted case investigations and family tracing. 35 victims of child smuggling and neglect were also given short-term shelter and trauma-informed care at the NLCF before being reunited with family members. Through these anti-trafficking activities, the NLCF contributes to the cultivation of healthy communities that are resilient, and safe from trafficking, abuse, and other forms of exploitation.

learn more about the ministry of the New Life Center Foundation

To learn more about human trafficking, click here to go to this FREE 2025 Human Trafficking Prevention Month Toolkit developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office on Trafficking in Persons. In this toolkit, you will learn what you can do to strengthen communities and prevent human trafficking. You will also find free resources including social media posts and PowerPoint slides that you can use to educate your church, business, or community.

Thank you for your prayers and financial support that enable me to enable me to share God’s love in Thailand.