WHEREAS, human trafficking is a crime in which force, fraud, or coercion is used to compel a person to perform labor, services, or commercial sex, according to the U.S. Department of Defense; and

WHEREAS, human trafficking is a human rights and public health crisis, including international and domestic survivors of both labor and sex trafficking; and

WHEREAS, traffickers target those who are most vulnerable in our communities, including children and young adults, and survivors come from many different backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, in 2019 there were approximately 239 human trafficking cases reported in Nevada, with 129 of those cases involving minors; and

WHEREAS, advocates, law enforcement agencies, and policy experts across Nevada continue working tirelessly to increase access to services and raise awareness of this important issue; and

WHEREAS, January is a time to remember and honor all victims and survivors, as well as raise awareness to help prevent human trafficking;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim January 2021 as

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH IN NEVADA