Human Trafficking Awareness Day

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, the inalienable rights of all Virginians are vital to the happiness, prosperity, and well-being of the communities of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that relies upon a regime of criminal conduct including fraudulent recruiting, illegal transporting, coerced compliance, violence, and kidnapping for the purpose of stealing a person’s hopes for the future, the fruits of their own labor, their wellbeing, and their family relationships; and

WHEREAS, thousands of men, women, and children are exploited by traffickers in the United States and abroad, and including urban areas, small communities, schools, and neighborhoods in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, human trafficking is the largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world, which has established a foothold in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the form of organized criminal gangs, illicit massage businesses, and labor trafficking; and

WHEREAS, many grassroots and non-profit organizations exist that help in the fight against human trafficking through education and prevention; and

WHEREAS, the conviction of human traffickers, empowerment of survivors, and prevention of others from becoming victims are top public safety priorities for the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Commission on Human Trafficking Prevention and Survivor Support, the Department of Education, the Department of Health, and the Department of Public Safety have been organized by the Governor into a comprehensive anti-trafficking effort along with a firm commitment to services for victims and survivors of human trafficking;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize January 11, 2023, as HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations