A Proclamation to Recognize January 2023 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month

A Proclamation to recognize January 2023 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

     WHEREAS, January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, an important time to educate ourselves and our constituents about the scourge of human trafficking and the ways that each one of us can become a part of the fight against this horrific and pervasive crime, and

WHEREAS, human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit another person for material gain, and

WHEREAS, human trafficking, whether in the form of forced labor, sex trafficking, or other offenses, is an abhorrent abuse of power that strikes at the safety, health, and dignity of millions of people worldwide, and

WHEREAS, Florida is the third largest hub for human trafficking in the United States of America, and

WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature has made significant strides to fight against this immoral crime, passing landmark legislation to raise awareness, fund support for survivors, crack down on demand, and appropriately educate children in prevention, and

WHEREAS, there is a unique opportunity and obligation to create necessary, lifesaving change as a part of this esteemed body, united together in this fight to prevent trafficking in the State of Florida and support survivors of these terrible crimes, and

WHEREAS, through this proclamation, I hereby reaffirm my own commitment and seek the commitment of this body to continue the critical fight to prevent human trafficking, rescue victims, and support survivors, and

WHEREAS, this January, during Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and throughout all other months of the year, I commit to doing my part to prevent human trafficking through awareness and education, and I ask fellow Members to do the same, and

WHEREAS, I call upon the Legislature, businesses, civil society organizations, communities of faith, families, and all Floridians to recognize the vital role we play in combating human trafficking and observe this month with appropriate programs and activities aimed at preventing all forms of human trafficking, NOW, THEREFORE,

I, Senator Lauren F. Book, of Florida Senate District 35, do hereby recognize January 2023 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

###