National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
WHEREAS, human trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of forced labor or sexual servitude; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking is a 150 billion dollar a year global criminal enterprise and is also a civil and human rights violation; and
WHEREAS, the National Human Trafficking Hotline ranks Florida as third in the number of calls reported to the hotline; and
WHEREAS, human traffickers take advantage of crises like the pandemic and natural disasters by exploiting those who are harmed and economically insecure; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 has exacerbated existing inequities and inequalities, and harmed already-vulnerable communities including children and youth, persons of color, the LGBTQ+ population, homeless and displaced individuals, deaf and disabled persons, people with substance abuse disorders, immigrants, and individuals who have financial hardships making many more people vulnerable to human traffickers who exploit the lack of basic needs; and
WHEREAS, more community education and action is crucial to eradicating human trafficking in our communities, state and nation; and
WHEREAS, both sex and labor trafficking are present in _____ City/County, and it is important for the community to work together to increase our focus and awareness of both of these forms of human trafficking; and
WHEREAS, local governments can play a vital role in preventing sex and labor trafficking as well as helping to identify and provide support to victims of trafficking by providing education to any governmental staff including inspectors, emergency responders of all kinds, utility workers who are in or near homes or businesses so they can observe and report possible human trafficking, and supporting local libraries with public awareness information and support for vulnerable populations who often use library services for internet access and support; and
WHEREAS, _____ City/County has taken active steps to prevent and eradicate human trafficking including __[list examples of work done in this area locally]________________________; and
WHEREAS, the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center, this area’s local anti-human trafficking non-profit agency has a strong commitment to fortifying the community against human trafficking, educates the individuals and professionals about how to recognize and respond to human trafficking, assists survivors of human trafficking and collaborates with many in the community to meet this need; and
WHEREAS, the _____ County Sheriff’s office and area law enforcement have focused and strong efforts in place to combat human trafficking; and
WHEREAS, January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and is observed in counties across the country in order to educate the public and inform them as to taking action to end human trafficking; and
WHEREAS, as a community, _____ City/County takes a stance to support survivors of human trafficking and joins the fight to end human trafficking including raising and catalyzing action, providing training opportunities for county staff and others who may come in contact with human trafficking, supporting local efforts, and taking all necessary steps to support survivors and bring traffickers to justice.
NOW THEREFORE I, __________, Chair of the ________ City/County Commission hereby proclaim January 2022 Human Trafficking and Slavery Prevention Month and further recognize the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center, the Big Bend Coalition Against Human Trafficking, and the many agencies, businesses, individuals, faith communities, and others for their roles in building awareness and taking action in the local community to end both labor and sex trafficking, and supporting survivors. Henceforward, we will work together to ensure that all those who are vulnerable will be aided and that those within the county and throughout the community will work diligently to end human trafficking in the region.