DECLARING JANUARY 11, 2014 TO BE HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY
WHEREAS, Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery where traffickers obtain labor, sexual exploitation, and/or debt bondage through force, fraud, or coercion; and
WHEREAS, According to the United Nations, human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry where traffickers profit from the exploitation of over 27 million people across the world; and
WHEREAS, The US Department of State estimates that 14,500 to 17,500 people, primarily women and children, are trafficked into the United States; and
WHEREAS, According to an analysis of five years of data from the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, from December 7, 2007 to December 31, 2012, cases of human trafficking were reported in all 50 states and D.C. More than 42% of sex trafficking cases referenced pimp-controlled prostitution and more than 27% of labor trafficking cases referenced domestic work; and
WHEREAS, A 2002 study estimates that on any given day in the Chicago metropolitan area, between 16,000 to 24,000 women and girls are engaged in prostitution. In a recent Chicago study, 53% of prostituted women said they had to give all their money to a pimp. Many said they couldn't leave prostitution because they were afraid of what their pimp would do to them; and
WHEREAS, A 2008 Chicago study of 100 women up to age 25 found their average age of entry into prostitution was 16. Girls this young are often exchanging sex for clothes, shelter, or food—in order to survive. Many have run away from dysfunctional homes and are often in foster care; and
WHEREAS, For more than the past ten years, Illinois and Cook County have been recognized as national leaders in the fight against human trafficking because of its survivor leadership, community organizing and legislative reforms as well as elected official engagement and support; and
WHEREAS, Human trafficking was criminalized in Illinois in 2006, and, under Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez's leadership, a Human Trafficking unit was created to prosecute traffickers and a regional task force was convened to coordinate efforts; and
WHEREAS, Significant barriers exist to eradicate human trafficking in Chicago, including a lack of specialized services designed to address the unique needs of those impacted by prostitution and trafficking. Arrest and conviction data in Illinois and the City of Chicago illustrate that prostitutes have significantly higher rates of arrest than their pimps or customers; and
WHEREAS, National trends and best practices reveal that efforts to suppress the demand for commercial sexual exploitation and hold pimps and traffickers accountable are effective strategies to end human trafficking. A National Human Trafficking Awareness Day event will be held on January 11, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Overflow Coffee Bar on South State Street; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together this 15th Day of January, 2014 AD, resolve to work with local advocates, law enforcement partners, survivor leaders, and the community to improve Chicago's response to human trafficking and declare January 11, 2014 to be Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the Overflow Faith CcHmrmftity. ^