FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 16, 2024
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: Interim City Manager Alex Posada
BY: Chief Deputy City Clerk Sarah Lansburgh
SUBJECT: Proclamation – “Human Trafficking Awareness Month” – January 2024
Present a Proclamatio n recognizing January 2024, as “Human Trafficking Awareness Month” in the City of Santa Maria.
BACKGROUND:
Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that occurs in every state, including California, wherein victims are forced to work in various forms of labor exploitation including, but not limited to, commercial sex acts and other services that are induced through force, fraud, or coercion.
The Santa Barbara County Human Trafficking Task Force has worked diligently to bring awareness to the fact that human trafficking occurs closer to home than one might think, and that California ranks number one in the country for reported human trafficking cases.
This Proclamation is being brought forth by the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center to raise awareness of the issue and recognize the critical role all Santa Maria residents play in preventing, reporting, and adjudicating theses heinous crimes.
Attachment: Proclamation