WHEREAS, human trafficking is a grave and heinous crime that includes but is not limited to sex, labor, and child trafficking, each of which inflicts severe physical and emotional suffering upon its victims; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking involves the recruitment, enticement, transportation, transfer, harboring, providing, patronizing, soliciting, obtaining, or receipt of persons through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation; and
WHEREAS, during the 2023 legislative session, the North Carolina General Assembly recognized the harmful effect of treating human trafficking victims as criminals by prohibiting the denial or reduction of an award from the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund solely due to conduct that occurred while the victim was being trafficked; and
WHEREAS, agencies funded by the NC Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement reported serving 469 human trafficking survivors between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including immigrants, refugees, Indigenous people, the LGBTQ+ community, and those living in poverty, highlighting the need for targeted support and resources; and
WHEREAS, survivors of human trafficking in North Carolina are immensely strong and resilient, and we must honor their courage by providing comprehensive support services, legal protection, and opportunities for recovery and healing; and
WHEREAS, Human Trafficking Awareness Month provides an opportunity to recognize the critical partnership between the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission, the Council for Women and Youth Involvement, victim service providers, law enforcement agencies, and other state organizations, and the role that all North Carolinians have in preventing and responding to this crime and to serving victims and survivors;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim January, 2024, as “HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH” and January 11, 2024 as “HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.
