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

WHEREAS, human trafficking is the second 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 to 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;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize January 11, 2024, as HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations