Commissioner Taylor Presents Proclamation for Human Trafficking Awareness Month
- 22 January 2025
- Category: SJC News District 5
- Tags: 2025
During the St. Johns County Board of County Commission meeting on Jan. 21, 2025, Commissioner Ann Taylor, District 5, presented a proclamation to designate January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Cathie Altman, President of the American Association of University Women St. Augustine Branch and Kelly Franklin, Chief Executive Officer of the Betty Griffin Center accepted the proclamation.
Here is a video of the presentation.
The following is the proclamation that was presented:
A Proclamation
by the
Board of County Commissioners
St. Johns County, Florida
WHEREAS, human trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of forced labor or sexual servitude; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking is a $150 billion a year global criminal enterprise, is a crime as well as a civil and human rights violation, and the United States government estimates that between 600,000 to 800,000 individuals are trafficked across international borders each year; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, Florida had the third highest number of human trafficking cases in the United States, and in 2023 had nearly 2100 cases reported, with 1,627 cases identified as involving minors; and
WHEREAS, more awareness and education is crucial to eradicating human trafficking in our communities, state, and nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Johns County, Florida, that January 2025 be designated as
Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Be recognized and encouraged to support survivors and their families, and the fight against the exploitation of women, men and children.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners of St. Johns County, Florida, this 21st day of January 2025.