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City of <br /> ElkProclamation <br /> Fewer <br /> Designating January 2020 as <br /> Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month <br /> WHEREAS, Human trafficking is a nationwide public health and civil rights crisis. Its victims and <br /> survivors are everywhere,with each city and communityT being no exception; and <br /> WHEREAS, Human Trafficking includes both forced labor and sex trafficking, and <br /> WH EREAS, Anyone can be a victim. In the U.S.,it is estimated that 2-4 million victims are being <br /> trafficked. 75% are exploited for sex. Almost half are children, and most are women and girls.Victims come <br /> from all demographics. Traffickers target individuals who, for a varietyof reasons, are vulnerable; and <br /> WHEREAS,Minnesota's Safe Harbor Law recognizes that any youth under the age of 18 who is exploited <br /> through prostitution will no longer face criminal prosecution and will instead receive comprehensive and <br /> trauma-informed services.These services are available to youth through age 24; and <br /> WHEREAS, In Minnesota, the average age of participants served under Safe Harbor was 17.A slightly <br /> higher percentage of youth served were in greater Minnesota (54%) compared to the metro area (46%). <br /> Most participants were female (91%),while 6%identified as male and 3% as transgender,gender non- <br /> conforming and other. More than half(59%) of participants were people of color; and <br /> WHEREAS, Rotary=International, specifically Rotary=Districts 5950, 5960 and 5580 are striving to increase <br /> awareness and promote prevention. The mission of the Initiative is to End Human Trafficking in <br /> communities in Minnesota,Wisconsin, North Dakota and parts of Ontario (regions covered by Rotary= <br /> Districts 5950, 5960, and 5580). We will coordinate mobilizing Rotarians in clubs throughout the region to <br /> engage their communities in this issue; and <br /> WHEREAS, Our initiatives focus on: raising awareness, educating children and youth, reducing risk <br /> factors that make children and youth vulnerable, and stopping the demand; and <br /> WHEREAS, All communities must seek to prevent human trafficking before it can occur, by promoting <br /> safe, healthy, and supportive environments by changing the culture of acceptance of this evil. <br /> WHEREAS,January=was first declared as National Slavery=and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in <br /> 2010 and Human Trafficking Awareness Day is observed every year on January 11 by Presidential <br /> Proclamation. <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I,John J. Dietz,Mayor of Elk River, do hereby <br /> proclaim January=as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month and January=11,2020, as Human <br /> Trafficking Awareness Day. <br /> John J. Dietz,Mayor <br /> ATTEST: <br /> Tina Allard, City Clerk <br />