Schuyler County Proclaims January 2022 as National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month

The Schuyler County Legislature has passed a resolution to raise awareness of, and opposition to, human trafficking and modern slavery.

The resolution, submitted to the legislature by the office of County Attorney Steven Getman, designates January 2022 as National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month, “to acknowledge the vital role that the people of the United States have in ending human trafficking and modern slavery.” It was passed unanimously by the county legislature at its year-end meeting on Monday (December 27).

Human trafficking is a crime in which force, fraud or coercion is used to compel a person to perform labor, services or commercial sex, Getman explained. It affects all populations and all economic classes, including both adults and children.

According to the resolution, human trafficking and modern slavery have been reported and investigated in each of the fifty states. It calls for “continued partnerships with Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as social service providers and nonprofit organizations to address human trafficking with a collaborative, victim-centered approach; and all other efforts to prevent, eradicate, and raise awareness of, and opposition to, human trafficking and modern slavery.”

According to Getman, the recognition period for National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month is because January 1 is the anniversary of the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation. The month was first federally recognized in 2010.

Getman noted that citizens who suspect an act of human trafficking in their area can report a tip to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. This national, toll free hotline is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country.

A copy of Schuyler County’s resolution is available below:

Schuyler County Proclaims J... by Steven Getman

Schuyler County proclaims January 2021 as National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month.

The Schuyler County Legislature has passed a resolution to raise awareness of, and opposition to, human trafficking and modern slavery.

The resolution, submitted to the legislature by the office of County Attorney Steven Getman, designates January 2021 as National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month, “to acknowledge the vital role that the people of the United States have in ending human trafficking and modern slavery, culminating in the observance on February 1, 2021, of National Freedom Day.”  It was passed  by the county legislature at its regular monthly meeting on Monday (December 14).

Human trafficking is a crime in which force, fraud or coercion is used to compel a person to perform labor, services or commercial sex, Getman explained. It affects all populations and all economic classes, including both adults and children.

According to the resolution, human trafficking and modern slavery have been reported and investigated in each of the fifty states.   It calls for “continued partnerships with Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as social service providers and nonprofit organizations to address human trafficking with a collaborative, victim-centered approach; and all other efforts to prevent, eradicate, and raise awareness of, and opposition to, human trafficking and modern slavery.”

According to Getman, the recognition period for National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month is because January 1 is the anniversary of the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation and February 1, “National Freedom Day,” is the anniversary of the date on which President Lincoln sent the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which outlawed slavery, to the states for ratification.  The month was first federally recognized in 2010.

Getman noted that citizens who suspect an act of human trafficking in their area, can report a tip to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. This national, toll free hotline is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country.

A copy of Schuyler County’s resolution is available below.

Resolution Supporting the r... by Steven Getman

National Human Trafficking Summit

The Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA) is hosting the inaugural National Human Trafficking Prosecutorial Summit on January 7-8, 2020.

The summit will focus on the needs of jurisdictions responding to human trafficking cases. Experienced prosecutors and other allied professionals will facilitate discussion and train participants on practical strategies and model policies in the prosecution of human trafficking.

Topics to be discussed include:

Demand Reduction;
Creative Prosecution and Charging Decisions; Working with Victims;
Neuroscience of Trauma;
Task Force Models;
Illicit Massage Parlors; and
Labor Trafficking

For more information, or to register, click here.

Bill to crack down on child sex trafficking set to pass

New York Post:

A bill to crack down on predators who force or manipulate children into prostitution is headed for passage this year, lawmakers said Thursday.

The revised law would punish anyone who intentionally promotes or profits from prostitution of people under the age of 18 with a felony sex trafficking charge — without having to prove the child was compelled....

The Senate has already passed a similar version of the ... bill, which was sponsored by Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island)....

The bill set for passage makes it a separate class B felony for anyone 21 or over to promote or benefit from the prostitution of anyone under 18.

It also says that arguing that a perpetrator didn’t know a victim’s age is no longer a valid defense.

Combatting Human Trafficking

The Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit of the US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association are presenting a free webinar, Combatting Human Trafficking Through Collaboration, on Feb. 21, 2018 from 2:00-3:30 EST.

The webinar will address "types of legal services survivors of human trafficking need; how to identify when civil or criminal clients may be victims of trafficking; successful models for collaborating with law enforcement while maintaining a victim-centered approach; and opportunities for working with the Civil Rights Division to fight against human trafficking."

For more information or to register, click here.