HomeMy WebLinkAboutPROCLAMATION 01/05/2009�r
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HUMAN TRAFFICKING A IVARENESS DAY, JANUARYII,2009,
WHEREAS, human trafficking is the general term used to describe forced labor,
bonded labor, involuntary servitude, forced child labor, sexual exploitation and
prostitution, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. It is a hidden problem
that does not readily show itself, yet is discovered in every jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, on July 2, 2008, over 300 concerned citizens of Sonoma County
attended a public awareness event on human trafficking along with a panel of government
and non-governmental experts, including District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua and
representatives from the Sheriffs Department, FBI, ICE, United Against Sexual Assault,
and the Santa Rosa City Attorney's Office, all of whom acknowledged that sexual
exploitation and the sexual exploitation of children takes place in Sonoma County; and
WHEREAS, panelists also acknowledged that there is a correlation between run-
away youth and their sexual exploitation, and statistics on Sonoma County runaway
teenage females are alarming; and
WHEREAS, in addition to runaways, victims may be immigrants trafficked across
borders with or without visas to work in vineyards, homes, businesses, hotels, clubs, on the
streets and any other place that offers an opportunity for a trafficker to profit; and
WHEREAS, although laws to prosecute perpetrators of human trafficking and to
assist and protect victims of human trafficking have been enacted, awareness of the issues
surrounding human trafficking by those most likely to come in contact with victims is
essential to effective enforcement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Pamela Torliatt, Mayor of
Petaluma, along with the members of tha City-Cquncil, do hereby proclaim January 11,
2009, as Human Trafficking Awareness Day in P taluma, and ask that individuals, public
agencies, private organizations and businesses in galu airyqg6ether aqd work to
abolish human trafficking through educati
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