Title
To recognize January 2022 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month in the City of Columbus
Body
WHEREAS, human trafficking is the trade and involuntary servitude of an individual which robs children, teenagers and adults of their freedom, whether it is in the form of forced labor, sex trafficking, or other offences; and
WHEREAS, the state of Ohio ranks among the 10th worst in the nation for human trafficking with 310 human trafficking cases reported in 2020; and
WHEREAS, substance use, mental health concerns, recent migration and relocation, involvement in the child welfare system, and homelessness place individuals at greater risk; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking disproportionately affects ethnic minorities, women and girls, LGBTQI+ individuals, vulnerable migrants; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has a strong commitment to protect and empower human trafficking survivors and ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to be healthy, safe, and free; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby recognize January 1st 2022 to January 31, 2022, as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and recognizes She Has A Name for their efforts to support survivors and reduce the number of trafficked individuals.