In 2007 the U.S. Senate designated January 11 as a National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness in an effort to raise consciousness about this global, national and local issue. In 2010, President Barack Obama proclaimed January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

On January 29, 2013, the OC Human Trafficking Task Force and Cottonwood Church co-organized a human trafficking art and awareness event, F.R.E.E. T.H.E.M. in commemoration of the day and month. The inaugural county-wide event brought in over 1,000 attendees and 40 organizations.

To learn more about 2013's event and watch a short video from last year: http://www.egovlink.com/ochumantrafficking/news/news_info.asp?id=7202

To view the video for 2014's event: https://vimeo.com/93510681