HR0772 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0772 LRB100 18127 MST 33322 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, An estimated 24.9 million people globally are trapped in the modern-day slavery that is human trafficking; Illinois had 202 confirmed cases in 2016 alone, with each victim being held an average of 20.5 months before release; and

WHEREAS, Seventy-one percent of all human trafficking victims are female, 25% are children, and a significant number are immigrants; the majority of this 150 billion dollar dark "industry" is represented by sex trafficking; and

WHEREAS, The Center for Prevention of Abuse in Peoria has long recognized the prevalence of human trafficking within all geographic regions, including Central Illinois, and was awarded a prestigious grant to help fight it locally; and

WHEREAS, The Center for Prevention of Abuse is committed to helping all local survivors of human trafficking reclaim control over their lives, to feel safe while enjoying physical and emotional health, and to realize the human rights to which they are entitled; and

WHEREAS, The Center for Prevention of Abuse created and launched their new Human Trafficking Division in January of 2018; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Center for Prevention of Abuse on their most recent success in fulfilling their mission to help all men, women, and children live free from violence and abuse; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commend the Center for Prevention of Abuse for the necessary services they are now providing for this especially vulnerable group of victims, while simultaneously fostering an increased level of public awareness about this serious issue; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Director of the Center for Prevention of Abuse Carol Merna and the Center's Director of Human Trafficking Services Sara Dillefeld.