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City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
Santa Maria
hand
All -America City
11111!
WHEREAS, human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that occurs in every state, wherein victims are forced to work in various forms of labor exploitation and other services that are induced through force, fraud, or coercion; and WHEREAS, due to its isolated and discrete nature, many individuals across the globe are unaware that trafficking exists in their communities; and WHEREAS, it is estimated that more than 28 million people around the world are victims of human trafficking; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking victims face a cruelty that has no place in a civilized world, a crime that can take many forms, one that debases common humanity, and violates what the United States stands for as a country; and
WHEREAS, increased education about how to identify human trafficking, along with increased knowledge of in -state resources and services for those affected by criminal exploitation can help decrease the number of future victims; and WHEREAS, Human Trafficking Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize the critical role all Santa Maria residents play in preventing, reporting, and adjudicating these heinous crimes.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALICE M. FATINO, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria do hereby recognize January 2023, as:
"HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH"
in the City of Santa Maria, and encourage businesses and residents to educate themselves on the issue and report suspicious activity.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Santa Maria to be affixed hereto this 17'x' day of January 2023.
Alice M. Patino, Mayor