Bill Text: NY J01639 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 2024, as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 6-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-10 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J01639 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01639-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1639

BY: Senator RHOADS

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        January 2024, as Human Trafficking Prevention  Month
        in the State of New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside  to  increase  awareness  of  serious
issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy  Hochul  to proclaim January 2024, as Human
Trafficking Prevention Month in the State of New  York,  in  conjunction
with the observance of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month; and

  WHEREAS,  First  established  in  2010,  National  Human Trafficking
Prevention Month aims to elevate the issue and highlight the  impact  it
has  domestically  and  internationally; designating a time and space to
acknowledge the importance of this issue allows for more visibility  and
prevention efforts; and

  WHEREAS,  Trafficking  is  the  use  of force, fraud, or coercion to
control  an  individual  into  commercial  sex  or  labor;  victims   of
trafficking  can  be children or adults, of any gender identity, and can
live in any neighborhood; and

  WHEREAS, Due to the complexity and grooming involved in this  crime,
there  are  many  times  when  individuals  don't  recognize  their  own
situation as trafficking; prevention efforts are  focused  on  educating
the  community and those who may be more vulnerable and at a higher risk
for trafficking; and

  WHEREAS, Passed in 2000,  the  Trafficking  Victims  Protection  Act
(TVAP),  along  with  other  State  legislation have expanded prevention
efforts, extended legal protections for trafficked children and  adults,
and  made  notable  changes to criminal law; these changes in government
policies improved  opportunities  for  programs  that  are  involved  in
investigating trafficking and providing services to victims; and

  WHEREAS,  Service providers have created networks that support those
who have experienced trafficking to find safety and  healing;  the  Safe
Center  is  Nassau County's service provider for children and adults who
have been victims of or are at risk to experience trafficking; and

  WHEREAS, The number of sexual and labor trafficking  cases  reported
each  year  continues  to  grow  as  more light is given to the issue by
various actors in New York, across the United  States,  and  around  the
globe; and

  WHEREAS,  The  scope and magnitude of the issue of human trafficking
is yet to be known, both domestically and abroad; and

  WHEREAS, Human Trafficking Awareness Month was implemented to  raise
awareness among Americans that human trafficking does not just happen in

other countries, but in states and communities across the United States;
and

  WHEREAS,  It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious issue, and more must be done to eradicate human trafficking
at the local, state and national levels; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy  Hochul  to proclaim January 2024, as Human
Trafficking Prevention Month in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.