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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 denies freedom to 50 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 over $99 billion is generated from forced sexual exploitation; and

WHEREAS, the National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 193 cases in Arizona during 2020; and

WHEREAS, the 2021 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 50,000 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, Katie Hobbs, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim January 2023 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. Done at the Capitol in Phoenix
on this thirty-first day of January in the year Two Thousand and Twenty 
Three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the Two
Hundred and Forty-Seventh.

GOVERNOR