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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING 2024 WORLD DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
WHEREAS, in the U.S. Department of State’s fact sheet on ‘Understanding Human Trafficking’, it identifies “trafficking in persons” and “human trafficking” as umbrella terms-often used interchangeably-to refer to a crime whereby traffickers exploit and profit at the expense of adults or children by compelling them to perform labor or engage in commercial sex; and
WHEREAS, in that same fact sheet, the U.S. Department of State further identifies that both labor and sex trafficking entails the use of force, fraud, or coercion that exploits the labor or services of another person or to compel their engagement in a commercial sex act; and
WHEREAS, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is an annual event globally observed on July 30th; and
WHEREAS, the day was established on December 18, 2013, by the United Nations General Assembly with the desire to raise awareness, promote the protection of the rights of trafficking victims, and encourage governments, organizations, and individuals to prevent and combat trafficking in persons; and
WHEREAS, with 2024 marking the day’s 10th anniversary, this year’s theme is "Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking”; and
WHEREAS, amid overlapping crises such as armed conflicts, pandemics, economic hardships, and environmental challenges, children are increasingly vulnerable to trafficking; and
WHEREAS, the United Nations reports that children continue to represent a significant proportion of trafficking victims worldwide, where one in three victims of human trafficking globally is a child, with girls being disproportionately affected; and
WHEREAS, additionally, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (GLOTIP), children are twice as likely to face violence during trafficking than adults; and
WHEREAS, children are subjected to various forms of trafficking, including exploitation through forced labor, criminality or begging, trafficked for illegal adoption, recruitment into armed forces, and online and sexual abuse and exploitation; and
WHEREAS, identification and protection of child victims remain challenging due to underreporting, lack of awareness, inadequate resources for victim support services, and the issue of traffickers employing coercion, deception, and threats to maintain control over their victims, making it difficult for authorities to intervene; and
WHEREAS, to effectively combat this epidemic, concerted prevention efforts are needed at both national and international levels that target root causes like poverty and inequality to reduce children's vulnerability; and
WHEREAS, it remains essential that all work towards strengthening child protection systems and implementing crucial child-sensitive justice mechanisms for supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable; and
WHEREAS, the addressing of the nuances of online child exploitation requires innovative strategies, collaboration between tech companies and law enforcement, and robust legal frameworks; and
WHEREAS, in May of this year, The Cook County Committee on Human Relations held its first public hearing to address the ongoing human trafficking issues in Cook County, and recommitted itself to the necessity of a comprehensive, inclusive, and intersectional approach to combat human trafficking;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board hereby declares July 30th World Day Against Trafficking in Persons-Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking, in recognition of its continual dedication to combatting this scourge.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body.
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