HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2013.11.13 - 21113MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION # 13299
BY: Commissioners Janet Jackson, District #21, Shelley G. Taub, District #12, and Mattie j
McKinney Hatchett, District #10 & O AVfci«~ Gc^SkcASo^ ^3?// tIN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - OAKLAND COUNTY CAMPAIGN AGAINST 7
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING COMMUNITY AWARENESSCAMPAIGN
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS according to the U. S. Department of Justice, in a one-year period, an estimated 1.6
million children either ran away from or were thrown out of their homes, and an estimated
40,000 of these children will be involved in some form of sexual exploitation and victimization by
predators; and
WHEREAS human trafficking is modern day slavery and it is the second-largest and fastest-
growing criminal industry in the world, after drug trafficking. Victims of human trafficking are in
bondage through force, fraud or coercion, solely for the purpose of sex or labor
exploitation. Children are especially vulnerable; and
WHEREAS human trafficking comes in two forms:
Sex Trafficking - the exploitation of a person for labor commercial sexual activity
through force, fraud, or coercion. Victims of sex trafficking are often forced to engage in
prostitution, exotic dancing, or pornography, it is important to understand that any
sexually exploited child is a trafficking victim, even if there is no force, fraud, or coercion.
Labor Trafficking - the exploitation of a person for labor or services through fource,
fraud, or coercion. Labor trafficking victims are often forced into domestic servitude,
agricultural work, restaurant work, or sweatshop factories.
WHEREAS children are especially vulnerable to sexual exploitation and human trafficking:
• 40 percent of human trafficking cases involve the sexual exploitation of a child.
• Between 100,000 and 300,000 children are at risk for sexual exploitation in the U.S. with
an average age of 11 to 14 years old.
• It is estimated that 76 percent of transactions for sex with underage girls start on the
Internet; and
WHEREAS human trafficking is the second-largest and fastest-growing criminal industry in the
world - and it's devastating the lives of thousands of women and children right here in Michigan
and Oakland County. Michigan is a source, destination and transit state for human trafficking
that has victims, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals, who are trapped in forced labor and sexual
exploitation; and
WHEREAS in 2013, the FBI and members of the Southeast Michigan Crimes against Children
Task Force made 59 arrests across Oakland, Wayne, Macomb and Genesee counties as a
result of a massive three-day child prostitution sweep conducted by local, state and federal law
enforcement agencies; and
WHEREAS also in 2013, local authorities were preparing to arraign 26 people from Southfieid
and six from Madison Heights for commercial child sex trafficking; and
WHEREAS, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Center for Missing
and Exploited Children (NCMEC) have partnered for a national campaign to promote child
safety and help prevent the commercial child sexual exploitation; and
WHEREAS State of Michigan's Attorney General Bill Schuette and a special commission on
human trafficking in Michigan has issued a report supporting a 19 bill package of legislation that
increases penalties for human trafficking and strengthens assistance for local victims. A key
element in this effort involves advocacy and raising public awareness.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
hereby joins with NACo, NCMEC, and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette to support a
public information campaign and legislative efforts dedicated to preventing commercial child
sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby
establishes a coordinated, comprehensive a public awareness campaign in Oakland County to
address child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby urges
the participation of key stakeholders from Oakland County's Family Court System, Sheriffs
Office, local law enforcement, Prosecutor's Office, health and human services, victim service
agencies and community organizations, as part of the community awareness campaign.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ail Commissioners and representatives from County
departments who share an interest in preventing these crimes against children are encouraged
to join in this effort.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to
forward copies of this adopted resolution to the National Association of Counties, NACo's Large
Urban Caucus, Michigan Attorney General Schuette, the Michigan Association of Counties, the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Chief Judge of Oakland County's Family
Court, Oakland County Sheriff, Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney, and the Oakland County
Health Division.
Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
Commte'sic^^—'•^sloner Janet ./aeKson^
District #21
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Resolution #13299
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the
objections.
November 13, 2013
General Government Committee. There were no