City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, due to its isolated and discrete nature, many individuals across the globe are unaware that trafficking exists in their communitie s. It is estimated that more than 28 million people around the world are victims of human trafficking. Human Trafficking victims face a cruelty that has no place in a civilized world. It is a crime that can take many forms, and one that tears at our social fabric, debases our common humanity, and violates what we stand 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. The Santa Barbara County Human Trafficking Task Force is committed to using all applicable laws and resources for investigating human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in it; and
WHEREAS, 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, that California ranks number 1 in the country for reported human trafficking cases, and that Santa Barbara County is home to hundreds of survivors of trafficking and exploitation. Human Trafficking Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize the critical role all Santa Barbara County residents play in preventing, reporting, and adj udicating these heinous crimes.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALICE M. PATINO, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria, hereby proclaim the month of January 2026 as:
“HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH”
in the City of Santa Maria and I call this observance to the attention of all our residents.
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 20th day of January 2026.
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor