PHOENIX — Former Governor Ducey has proclaimed January 2022 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month to recognize Arizona's commitment to combatting human trafficking and protecting victims' rights and restoring their freedom and dignity.

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WHEREAS, human trafficking is a form of slavery that can affect anyone and particularly victimizes vulnerable populations and negatively impacts our communities; and

WHEREAS, human trafficking occurs when a person is recruited, harbored, transported, or obtained for the purpose of commercial sex, forced labor, involuntary servitude, debt bondage, or slavery through force, fraud, or coercion, or if the victim has not reached the age of eighteen; and

WHEREAS, human trafficking denies freedom to 24.9 million people in the United States and around the world; and

WHEREAS, the International Labor Organization estimates that human trafficking is a $150 billion industry worldwide; and that $99 billion is generated from forced sexual exploitation; and

WHEREAS, the National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 234 cases in Arizona during 2019, of which 150 were for sex trafficking; and

WHEREAS, the 2020 Youth Experiences Survey found that almost half of the young adult participants experienced at least some form of human trafficking; and

WHEREAS, Arizona policymakers have worked diligently to combat human trafficking through the adoption of laws prohibiting and preventing human trafficking; and

WHEREAS, the Arizona Human Trafficking Council has made significant strides in the areas of public awareness, victim services, data collection, and training in order to protect Arizona against this crime; and

WHEREAS, the Arizona Human Trafficking Council has provided training on how to identify, report, and respond to victims of trafficking to more than 44,000 professionals and community members statewide including legislators, law enforcement, medical professionals, tribal communities, school staff, faith-based organizations, and businesses; and

WHEREAS, Arizona is committed to ensuring it is a zero-tolerance state for any form of human exploitation; and

WHEREAS, Arizona is committed to protecting victims' rights and restoring their freedom and dignity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Douglas A. Ducey, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim January 2022 as

HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to
be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Arizona

GOVERNOR