LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim July 30, 2016, as World Day against Trafficking in Persons in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, World Day against Trafficking in Persons is an official United
Nations observance held on July 30th of every year; it was established
in 2013 by the UN General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, The observance focuses on raising awareness of human traf-
ficking and the importance of stopping it; and
WHEREAS, Human trafficking is the trade of humans; international
conventions condemn it as a grave violation of human rights; the
purposes of trafficking in humans include, but are not limited to, sexu-
al slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, servitude,
forced marriage, removal of organs etc.; trade in people can occur both
within a victim's country of origin and abroad; and
WHEREAS, At any given time, about 2.5 million people are affected by
human trafficking; almost every country in the world is involved in
trafficking, whether as a country of origin, destination or transit for
human trade victims; and
WHEREAS, World Day against Trafficking in Persons aims to raise aware-
ness of the situation of men, women and children who have fallen victims
to human trafficking and to promote and protect their rights; and
WHEREAS, New York State, a leading entry, transit and destination
point for trafficking victims, is committed to the abolition of human
trafficking; and
WHEREAS, Trafficking victims experience a host of health and mental
health-related consequences at far greater rates than their counterparts
who have not been trafficked; and
WHEREAS, Each year, 15,000 to 18,000 people are trafficked into the
United States, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and
WHEREAS, The demand for cheap labor and for prostitution has made
trafficking in persons a worldwide industry that generates $32 billion
annually; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, the average age of entry into prostitu-
tion is 13 years old and the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children estimates that over 100,000 American children and youth are
victims of sex trafficking; buying children for sex is child abuse; and
WHEREAS, Public awareness has the potential to increase the identifi-
cation and reporting of human trafficking by the public, professionals,
and victims themselves, and can act as a catalyst to promote long-term
prevention and abolition of this form of modern-day slavery; and
WHEREAS, Survivors of human trafficking have first-hand knowledge of
the trauma and severe violations that occur in trafficking situations,
but also have a deep understanding of necessary solutions for prevention
and response; and
WHEREAS, Listening to survivors and fostering survivor leadership
allows survivors to connect with their strength and resilience and is
critical in the fight to end human trafficking; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local,
State and National levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim July 30, 2016, as World
Day against Trafficking in Persons in the State of New York; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and the New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition.