Senate Resolution No. 1742

BY: Senator WEBB

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
January 2024, as Slavery and Human Trafficking
Prevention Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 2024, as Slavery
and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Slavery and Human
Trafficking Prevention Month; and

WHEREAS, First declared as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention
Month in 2010, January has been a time to acknowledge those experiencing
enslavement and those who have escaped; although slavery is commonly
thought to be a thing of the past, human traffickers generate hundreds
of billions of dollars in profits by trapping millions of people in
horrific situations around the world and can target our communities; and

WHEREAS, Traffickers use violence, threats, deception, debt bondage,
and other manipulative tactics to force people to engage in commercial
sex or to provide labor or services against their will; preying on
victims with little or no social safety net, they look to exploit
victims for cheap labor by preying on individuals in vulnerable
situations due to economic hardship, illegal immigration status,
political instability, natural disasters, their age, and other causes;
and

WHEREAS, In recognition of this important topic, the National Child
Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of resources for
children, teens, parents and caregivers, educators, child welfare and
juvenile justice professionals, and mental health providers for
communities to become more aware of how to protect themselves and
others; and

WHEREAS, The number of sexual and labor trafficking cases reported
each year continues to grow as more light is given to the issue by
various actors in New York, across the United States, and around the
globe; and

WHEREAS, Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month was
implemented to raise awareness amongst the Nation that the enslavement
of individuals through human trafficking does not just happen far away
in other countries, but in states and communities across the United
States; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious issue, and more must be done to eradicate slavery and human
trafficking at the local, state and national levels; now, therefore, be
it


RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 2024, as Slavery
and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the State of New York; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.