2023 House Resolution 8

Whereas, Human trafficking is a crime under international, federal, and state law, and one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world, second only to drug trafficking as the most profitable form of crime, according to the U.S. Department of State; and

Whereas, Human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of persons for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery, and the inducement of a commercial sex act by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age; and

Whereas, Human trafficking is not exclusive to just one gender. All victims of human trafficking deserve equal respect and the opportunity to report that trauma without judgement; and

Whereas, To combat this form of modern-day slavery, the people of the United States, the federal government, and state and local governments must work to better understand the complex nature of this problem; and

Whereas, According to Rights4Girls, a human rights organization working to end gender-based violence in the U.S., African-American girls are disproportionately affected; Latino and Asian-American girls also experience unacceptable and disproportionate levels of trafficking; and

Whereas, We applaud the special unit designated to combat human trafficking in our State’s Attorney General’s Office and more must be done statewide to combat this growing trend. State and local law enforcement agencies must demonstrate a proactive approach to increasing awareness and prevention protocols and establishing community outreach efforts with civic, ecumenical, and community groups to keep our citizens safe; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare January 2023 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in the state of Michigan. We support and commend all work by individuals, businesses, organizations, and governing bodies for their important contributions to this commitment to end human trafficking; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this legislative body encourage all Michiganders to use this month as an opportunity to educate themselves about human trafficking and be aware of how prevalent it is in our state; and be it further

Resolved, That we stand in full support of those victims of human trafficking who have yet to escape or be found and liberated; and be it further

Resolved, That we offer the gravest concern for those who have had loved ones become victims to human trafficking; and be it further

Resolved, That we commend those individuals who have been victims of trafficking and have survived to overcome the atrocity; and be it further

Resolved, That we support and commend all work by individuals, businesses, organizations, and governing bodies for their important contributions themselves to putting an end to human trafficking.