2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
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2025 ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION 3
February 6, 2025 - Introduced by Representatives O'CONNOR, KITCHENS, BILLINGS,
STUBBS, SNYDER, SINICKI, NOVAK, GUNDRUM, DITTRICH, SPIROS, GOEBEN,
HURD, VINING, SPAUDE, STEFFEN, RIVERA-WAGNER, BARE, PRADO, MURSAU,
FITZGERALD, KNODL, MURPHY, GOODWIN, KIRSCH, TENORIO, BRILL,
CALLAHAN, DUCHOW, MIRESSE, BEHNKE, FRANKLIN, ALLEN, KREIBICH,
NEDWESKI, SNODGRASS, ARNEY, MADISON, STROUD, PALMERI, TUSLER,
ANDERSON, SUBECK, HONG, EMERSON, ROE, RODRIGUEZ, JOERS, B. JACOBSON,
DESANTO, WITTKE, J. JACOBSON, PHELPS, HAYWOOD, JOHNSON, ORTIZ-VELEZ,
MCCARVILLE and MAYADEV, cosponsored by Senators L. JOHNSON, JAMES,
JACQUE, KEYESKI, WIRCH, CARPENTER, DRAKE, RATCLIFF, HESSELBEIN,
TESTIN, TOMCZYK, HABUSH SINYKIN, WALL, FEYEN, WANGGAARD, SPREITZER,
DASSLER-ALFHEIM and LARSON. Referred to Committee on Rules.
***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
Relating to: proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and
Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin.
Whereas, human trafficking occurs when a person is recruited, harbored,
obtained, or transported through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of sexual
exploitation, commercial sex acts, or labor exploitation; and
Whereas, human traffickers disproportionately target at-risk populations,
including individuals who have experienced or been exposed to other violence, such
as child abuse and maltreatment and community violence, and those who are
disconnected from support networks, such as runaway and homeless youth,
unaccompanied minors, and persons displaced by natural disasters; and
Whereas, since 2007, more than 100,000 total cases of human trafficking have
been reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline; and
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Whereas, the average age a trafficking victim enters the sex trade in the
United States is between 12 and 15 years old; and
Whereas, in 2023, an estimated one-out-of-six endangered runaways reported
to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were likely child sex
trafficking victims; and
Whereas, a 2024 U.S. Department of State report found that advocates
reported a growing trend of traffickers targeting individuals with disabilities and
an increase in the use of social media platforms to recruit and advertise victims of
human trafficking; and
Whereas, human trafficking has been reported in all 72 counties in this state,
and it is a crime found in rural, urban, and suburban communities; and
Whereas, human trafficking is modern-day slavery, a practice that is in direct
opposition to the fundamental principles of liberty and human rights upon which
our nation was founded; and
Whereas, many nonprofit organizations are working to raise awareness and
combat human trafficking while collaborating with law enforcement to provide
critical resources to victims, including safe housing, health care, counseling, job
training, rehabilitation, clothing, personal care items, and hope; and
Whereas, to combat human trafficking in our state, our citizens must be aware
of the realities of human trafficking, educated to recognize victims of human
trafficking, and dedicated to stopping it; and
Whereas, a resolution passed by the U.S. Senate on June 22, 2007, has forever
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marked January 11 as a day of awareness and vigilance for the countless victims
and survivors of human trafficking around the world; and
Whereas, Wisconsin has zero tolerance for human trafficking, and eliminating
human trafficking is a goal shared by all Americans who believe in freedom and
liberty for all people; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of
the Wisconsin Legislature proclaim January 2025 as Human Trafficking
Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin.
(END)
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