FROM THE ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION
The Elmore County Commission passed a Resolution Monday to help educate and fight human trafficking.
The Commission partnered with Elmore County DHR and others throughout the state of Alabama to bring attention and awareness to this issue, so that we are more informed about ways to prevent, recognize, and respond to potential victims of human trafficking.
Below is the Resolution:
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH
“Freedom from Human Trafficking is a Fundamental Human Right”
WHEREAS, Alabama’s Human Trafficking Awareness Month was established in January 2011 in observance of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, to proclaim the equality and freedom of all people, to advocate for legislation, to educate leaders, and to encourage public awareness to the various forms of human trafficking; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking is a public health issue and crime that affects individuals, families, and communities across generations, exploiting the most vulnerable among us and weakening our collective well-being; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking occurs when an adult or child is recruited, harbored, obtained, or exported through force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labor, involuntary servitude, debt bondage and other methods of slavery; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 27.6 million people are subjected to human trafficking globally, including cases of human trafficking reported in every state and territory across the United States including here in our own community; and
WHEREAS, the risks and prevalence of human trafficking is greater now than ever in person and online; in industries such as restaurants, cleaning services, construction, and factories; and by strangers or someone they know, including partners, parents, and other family members; and
WHEREAS the Elmore County Commission seeks to enhance public welfare, protect public safety, and promote human flourishing for all residents by declaring that freedom from human trafficking is a fundamental human right.
WHEREAS, due to its isolating nature, many individuals remain unaware that trafficking is a threat to their neighborhoods, families, and children. The first step in eliminating human trafficking in our community is education. We must work diligently to ensure that all front-line industries, responders, educators, and parents are aware of this issue, know how to spot it, and how to report it, working together to bring victims to safety and punish the perpetrators; and
WHEREAS, stopping human trafficking requires a coordinated, community-wide response, and Elmore County supports partnerships to comprehensively address human trafficking and create Trafficking Free Zones; and
WHEREAS, National Human Trafficking Prevention Month is an opportunity to raise awareness and educate everyone on how they can prevent and respond to human trafficking.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Elmore County Commission in partnership with the Elmore County Department of Human Resources hereby proclaim January 2024 as HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH and we encourage all residents to join us in raising the visibility of this crime and to become more informed about ways to prevent, recognize and respond to potential victims of human trafficking in our community. Together, we can become more informed and take steps to create a community that is Trafficking Free.
Presented this the 8th day of January, 2024.
