* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Burnett
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Recognizing January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month
For the purpose of recognizing January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and recognizing the tireless and ongoing efforts of the Baltimore City Human Trafficking Collaborative in educating the citizens of Baltimore to assist in the prevention of human trafficking and supporting victims of human sex and labor trafficking.
body
Recitals
President Barack Obama first proclaimed January as “National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention” month in 2010. Since then, state and local governments across the country have declared January as a month to promote awareness of human trafficking in the hopes that, through increased awareness, this societal ill can be eradicated.
To be sure, human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that occurs in every state, including Maryland. The Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force is the State's primary organization that works to prevent trafficking, protect victims by providing them with the services they need, prosecute traffickers, and partner with a variety of organizations to eradicate the scourge of human trafficking from our communities.
Furthermore, human trafficking is the exploitation of an individual for financial gain through forced labor or commercial sex. Between 14,500 and 17,500 individuals are trafficked into the United States each year. Nationally, an estimated 4,457 to 20,995 youths ages 13-17 are involved in the U.S. sex industry. In Maryland, there were over 440 cases of child sex trafficking reported to local Departments of Social Services between July 2013 and July 2018. These reports involved over 375 alleged minor victims, the majority of whom were Maryland residents between the ages of 14-17 years old.
Youth who identify as LGBTQ may be additionally vulnerable to trafficking due to lack of social supports, familial rejection, or both. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 74% of the children trafficked came from the foster care or the social services system when they ran away and were lured into sex trafficking.
By passing benchmark human trafficking notice legislation last month, Baltimore City has taken a monumental leap forward in stopping human trafficking within Baltimore, but there is still much work to be done in promoting awareness of this pervasive problem.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Council recognizes January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and recognizes the tireless and ongoing efforts of the Baltimore City Human Trafficking Collaborative in educating the citizens of Baltimore to assist in the prevention of human trafficking and supporting victims of human sex and labor trafficking.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the
Health Commissioner, the Housing Commissioner, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the Baltimore City Council.