Title
To recognize and acknowledge the work of the Tapestry Performing Arts Company and to thank Tapestry for its advocacy and efforts to end human trafficking through dance, drama, and music.
Body
WHEREAS, Every year an increasing number of people fall victim to human trafficking as it is one of the fastest growing illegal trades both around the world and here in Central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, Human Trafficking is an estimated multi-billion dollar a year international enterprise in which 1,078 Ohio children become victims and over 3000 more are at risk; and
WHEREAS, Victims of human trafficking need support in order to escape and to recover from the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual trauma associated with their victimization; and
WHEREAS, Human traffickers use many physical and psychological techniques to control their victims, including the use of violence or threats of violence against the victim or the victim’s family, isolation from the public, language and cultural barriers, threats of arrest, deportation, as well as other control tactics; and
WHEREAS, Ohio has been dedicated to eliminating human trafficking; however a new study from the University of Cincinnati identified 1,032 victims between 2014 and 2016 and another 4,209 individuals who were at risk of being trafficked during this same time period; the report also found that many of these victims were young girls from Ohio’s urban centers; 86% were minors; 58% were white, 35% were African-American, 6% were multi-racial and 80% were from urban counties; this indicates that there is still more work to be done; and
WHEREAS, the Tapestry Performing Arts Company has been operating in Columbus for more than 10 seasons, spreading its message of Edutainment; a philosophy that merges education and entertainment to compel the audience into action; and
WHEREAS, the efforts of the Tapestry Performing Arts Company and their promotion of Human Trafficking Awareness in the City of Columbus through dance, drama, and music, represents their commitment to eliminating human exploitation as well as their opposition to human trafficking in our community, now therefore;
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize and acknowledge the work of the Tapestry Performing Arts Company and thank Tapestry for its advocacy and its efforts to end human trafficking through dance, drama, and music.