 Real Safety Begins with Real Talk: Have a Conversation About Trafficking This Holiday Season
As we gather with family and friends this month, our time together brings more than celebration. Moments of connection are an important chance to talk about human trafficking—what it looks like today, who it impacts, and how to spot the signs.
Human trafficking can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or geography. It takes many forms, including forced labor or sex trafficking, and tragically, it can even occur within families. Familial trafficking is especially difficult to recognize, which makes informed conversations even more important.
This season, the Blue Campaign encourages families to talk openly about trafficking, especially with youth. Our resources can help you understand the signs, approach the topic in age-appropriate ways, and create safe spaces for anyone who may need support.
Here are some tips to get started:
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Talk early and often. Explain what trafficking is in language young people can understand. When kids feel informed, they’re more likely to speak up.
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Learn the warning signs. Sudden behavior changes, unexplained absences, or signs of control by someone else may indicate exploitation. Blue Campaign materials can guide you through what to look for.
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Build safe spaces. Create environments—holiday gatherings included—where questions and concerns can be shared without judgment.
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Use trusted information. Misinformation about trafficking is common. Get the facts! Visit our website for clear, evidence-based resources, videos, and printable guides.
Human trafficking thrives in silence. By bringing this issue into everyday conversation, you help build a culture of awareness and safety. This holiday season, commit to noticing the signs, supporting those who need help, and empowering your community with accurate information.
Together, we can make this season safer for everyone.
Sneak Peek: #WearBlueDay is January 11!
January has historically been recognized as Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the CCHT invites you to join the national movement on January 11, 2026—#WearBlueDay.
Blue is the international color of human trafficking awareness—so wear it, share it, and talk about it. On January 11, post a photo or video on your social channels using #WearBlueDay, and let people know why you’re participating. Encourage friends, family, and coworkers to join in by wearing blue, sharing resources, and posting as well.
This simple act can help break the silence, facilitate crucial conversations, and spread awareness nationwide.
DOJ Announces Compensation Process for Victims Trafficked Through Backpage and CityXGuide
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a formal compensation process for individuals who were sex trafficked through advertisements posted on Backpage.com or CityXGuide.com. Eligible survivors may now petition for financial remission tied directly to the harm they experienced.
On July 31, 2025, the United States Department of Justice announced the launch of the of a formal remission process to compensate victims whose trafficking was facilitated through the Backpage website. The press release cross-references the remission website, www.backpageremission.com. This marks the largest remission process to date to compensate victims of human trafficking.
To qualify, applicants must show they were advertised as a sex-trafficking victim on Backpage between Jan. 1, 2004, and April 6, 2018, or on CityXGuide between April 8, 2018, and June 19, 2020. Importantly, victims do not need to pay any fees to participate in the remission program, and an attorney is not required to file a petition, though survivors may choose to have legal representation.
The deadline to submit petitions is March 31, 2026.
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On Nov. 14, a 38-year-old Honolulu man was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty in April of four counts of sex trafficking three adults and one minor, two counts of obstructing a sex trafficking investigation, seven counts of interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises, and one count of interstate travel for prostitution purposes. Additionally, the court ordered Isaiah McCoy to pay the victims $1,017,241.00 in restitution.
“The sentencing of Mr. McCoy is a testament to HSI’s zero tolerance for those who engage in sex trafficking in Hawaii,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas. “McCoy is a predator who left countless victims in his path while he sought to enrich himself at their expense. HSI will aggressively pursue those, like McCoy, who seek to exploit vulnerable women and girls and mute their voices while believing they will not be held accountable.”
The evidence presented at the 12-day trial earlier this year showed that McCoy compelled victims to commit hundreds of commercial sex acts between 2019 and 2021. McCoy made promises of a romantic relationship, a luxurious lifestyle, and financial security to women and girls. McCoy’s promises ended up false, designed to provide him with the opportunity to learn about a victim’s vulnerabilities while misrepresenting himself as caring and empathetic. McCoy’s feigned romantic interest and claimed wealth led him to emotionally manipulate his victims.
After luring the victims with his false promises, McCoy turned violent and abusive if the victims did not provide him with enough money or otherwise violated one of his many rules. McCoy inflicted violence against multiple victims that caused them to seek treatment at local hospitals. All of McCoy’s actions contributed to the creation of a climate of fear where the victims felt they had no way out because McCoy promised them that he had eyes and ears everywhere monitoring the victims’ every move.
McCoy required his victims to work all hours of the day and night even when they were sick or hungry. Afterwards, McCoy required the victims to turn over all the proceeds from his commercial sex business.
HSI investigated the case with assistance from the Honolulu Police Department.
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