HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2007-041 Resolution supporting efforts to end Human Trafficking in North CarolinaTHE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ~' V `~ /`'~~~
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RESOLUTION SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NORTH
CAROLINA
WHEREAS, human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery in which men, women,
and children are exploited for commercial sex and labor purposes; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking is currently the second largest criminal industry in the
world after drug dealing, and is the fastest growing; and
WHEREAS, victims of human trafficking can frequently be found in domestic labor
situations, sweatshop factories, construction, farm work, hotel, restaurant and tourist
industries, janitorial work, and the commercial sex industry; and
WHEREAS, traffickers use force, fraud and coercion to draw victims into lives of
servitude and abuse, frequently subjecting victims to rape, beatings, confinement, debt
bondage, involuntary servitude, and psychological and emotional abuse; and
WHEREAS, systematic approaches to detecting trafficking, creating protocols for
assisting victims, providing services to trafficking victims, and holding traffickers
accountable are all crucial steps in eradicating trafficking; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress responded to the problem of human trafficking by
passing the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, a comprehensive
statute designed to hold traffickers accountable and provide services for trafficking
victims; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina's location on the I-95 corridor, large military bases, large
immigrant population and demand for immigrant labor creates an environment
hospitable to trafficking in our area; and
WHEREAS, U.S. government studies estimate that approximately 800,000 persons are
trafficked across international borders each year, with 18,000 to 20,000 persons
trafficked into the United States and thousands more trafficked domestically; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) estimates that 23% of those
trafficked into the United States are trafficked into the southeast; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of North Carolina passed House Bill 1896 into law in
August, 2006, which addresses human trafficking and sexual servitude by increasing
criminal penalties, especially for those individuals who harbor children; and
WHEREAS, there are currently two anti-trafficking bills -Senate Bill 1079, sponsored by
Senator Ellie Kinnaird, and House Bill 974 -being considered by the North Carolina
General Assembly;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County
Commissioners supports efforts locally, statewide, and nationally to combat human
trafficking, including asking local state legislators to support the current legislation.
This the 12'" day of June 2007.
Moses Carey, Jr., Chair
Orange County Board of