CITY OF FRESNO Office of Councilmember Nelson Esparza Is hereby presented to:
Fresno EOC Central Valley Against Human Trafficking WHEREAS: January is designated as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the various
forms
of
human
trafficking,
support
survivors,
and
educate
communities
on
these
urgent
issues.
Since
2009,
the
Fresno
Economic
Opportunities
Commission
Central
Valley
Against
Human
Trafficking
program
has
assisted
and
identified
over
2,100
victims
of
human
trafficking
from
our
local
communities;
and
WHEREAS: The Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission Central Valley Against Human Trafficking program provides vital
resources
that
promote
self-sufficiency,
restore
dignity,
and
aid
in
the
recovery
from
trauma
for
survivors
of
human
trafficking;
and WHEREAS: The International Labor Organization recognizes there are an estimated 27.6 million people in modern slavery globally
where
over
3.3 million
victims
are
children.
It
is
reported
that
77%
of
all
victims
are
in
forced
labor
while
23%
of
all
victims
are
in
sex
trafficking;
and WHEREAS: The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates one out of six endangered runaways were likely child sex trafficking victims. Children who have been involved in the foster care and juvenile justice systems
are
at
increased
risk
of
being
victims
of
human
trafficking;
and
WHEREAS: Human trafficking generates billions of dollars annually, perpetuating the exploitation of millions of people across
the
globe.
Traffickers
exploit
people
across
several
industries,
including
manufacturing,
agriculture,
domestic
work,
and
construction;
and
WHEREAS: The City recognizes that human traffickers target people considered vulnerable within our communities, including
but
not
limited
to
women
and
girls,
racial
and
ethnic
minorities,
LGBTQIA+
individuals,
and
others
from
marginalized
backgrounds;
and
WHEREAS: The City of Fresno acknowledges the need for increased awareness and accountability in addressing human trafficking,
recognizing
that
this
grave
injustice
affects
individuals
from
all
walks
of
life.
Today,
we
stand
united
in
the
fight
against
human
trafficking
in
all
its
forms,
wherever
it
may
occur.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that we, Mayor Jerry P. Dyer, Councilmember Nelson Esparza, and the Fresno City Council,
do
hereby
proclaim,
the
month
of
January
2026,
as:
“National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month” in the City of Fresno. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and affixed the Seal of The City of Fresno, California, on this 15th day of January 2026.