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WHEREAS, the United States Department of State defines human trafficking as a crime whereby traffickers exploit and profit at the expense of adults or children by compelling them to perform labor or engage in commercial sex; and,
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WHEREAS, although victims of human trafficking can be anyone, human traffickers commonly prey upon runaway and homeless youth; unaccompanied children; persons who do not have lawful immigration status in the United States; Black people and other people of color; Indigenous peoples of North America, LGBTQI+ individuals; migrant laborers; persons with disabilities; and individuals with substance use disorder; and,
WHEREAS, it is a myth that perpetrators of human trafficking target victims they do not know when in reality, many survivors have been trafficked by romantic partners, family members, and employers; and,
WHEREAS, trafficking situations can be found in legal and illegal industries all across the United States including but not limited to, agriculture, domestic service, hospitality, health and beauty services, the food service industry, and the sex and entertainment industry; and,
WHEREAS, this diverse and complex crime is often described as "hidden in plain sight," because victims may look "normal" and even interact with the community; and,
WHEREAS, while it is not possible to know just how many victims of human trafficking exist in the United States, the number is estimated to be between 100,000 and 300,000; and,
WHEREAS, research has shown that sex trafficking is a major issue facing some of the most vulnerable residents in Western Pennsylvania due to its dense nexus of interstates and highways, its tourism, and its epidemic of opiate addiction; and,
WHEREAS, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has received 6,588 contacts representing 1,705 cases and 3,646 victims since 2007; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh thanks the organizations in our city who work tirelessly to provide support for survivors of human trafficking by providing shelter, medical and mental health care, legal assistance, and other critical assistance; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh thanks federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working to free victims of trafficking; and,
WHEREAS, there are several ways in which an individual can help fight human trafficking includes educating themselves and others, volunteering with local organizations, and reporting suspicions of human trafficking to the Human Trafficking Hotline or law enforcement; and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that human trafficking is a crime against humanity that impacts hundreds of thousands of people from all backgrounds across the United States, including Pittsburgh; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare January 2023 to be “National Human Trafficking Awareness” Month in the City of Pittsburgh.