Senate 12

SENATE RESOLUTION 12

(By Senators Chapman, Hamilton, Rose, Grady, and Morris)

[Introduced January 22, 2026]

Recognizing the month of January as Human Trafficking Awareness month.

Whereas, Human trafficking, also known as “trafficking in persons”, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. Coercion can be subtle or overt, physical, or psychological.  Exploitation of a minor for commercial sex is human trafficking, regardless of whether any form of force, fraud, or coercion was used; and

Whereas, The International Labor Organization estimates that there are currently 25 million victims of human trafficking around the world.  Human trafficking is projected to be a $150 billion dollar global industry annually; and

Whereas, Victims of human trafficking can be anyone regardless of race, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education level, or citizenship status; and

Whereas, Traffickers look for people who are desperate, in need of money and those who might appear lonely.  In the United States too often children in the welfare and juvenile system are recognized as vulnerable and easy targets as they are not protected by family or responsible guardians; and

Whereas, Traffickers can be family members, partners, acquaintances, and strangers. They can act alone or as part of an organized criminal enterprise. People often incorrectly assume that all traffickers are males; however, the United States has prosecuted cases against women traffickers as well. Traffickers can be pimps, gang members, diplomats, business owners, labor brokers, and farm, factory, and company owners; and

Whereas, Human trafficking is largely underreported because often victims of trafficking are not identified as victims.  Victims sometimes do not acknowledge themselves as victims by not knowing the numerous indicators available that may help identify themselves as victims; and

Whereas, In September 2023, West Virginia launched a new initiative, YOU CAN, with the objective of bringing awareness to human trafficking in the state.  All West Virginians are encouraged to participate in this initiative by learning about human trafficking and by downloading the free See, Send application from the App Store or Google Play; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates the month of January as Human Trafficking Awareness month; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representatives of Human Trafficking Awareness month.