January marks the 15th anniversary of Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month and on Friday Gov. Josh Green gathered with Attorney General Anne Lopez and representatives from state and county law enforcement departments and crime prevention agencies to sign a proclamation for the designation.
Each year, people across the state become victims of human trafficking, according to a news release. Designating Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month shines a light on this hidden crime affecting communities everywhere.
“We must recognize a heartbreaking truth: Native Hawaiian keiki are disproportionately affected by human trafficking,” stated Green. “This is not just a statistic — it is a call to action, demanding that we confront the systemic issues that allow this to persist. It is devastating to think that in the very place we call home — a place so rooted in aloha and community — our most vulnerable children are at heightened risk of exploitation. Every child deserves to grow up in safety, surrounded by love and opportunity, but human trafficking robs them of that fundamental right.”
Lopez said, “Traffickers exploit their victims through force, fraud and coercion. We have the power to stop it. By raising awareness to the connection between human trafficking, online harassment and abuse, domestic violence and other forms of abuse, we can develop more effective strategies to combat exploitation.”
The Department of the Attorney General recently launched its Human Trafficking Prevention Program webpage that aims to raise public awareness and provide education and resources to prevent human trafficking in Hawaii. It also includes phone numbers of organizations to report human trafficking.
The Lunch & Learn Speaker Series from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom features experts from diverse fields discussing topics related to human trafficking. Two more remain for January:
• Jan. 28: Family Homelessness and Human Trafficking by Ryan Catalani of Family Promise Hawaii. Register.
• Jan. 30: Vicarious Trauma: Addressing the Impact of Trauma on Providers and Community Members by Dr. Mestisa Gass of Mental Health America Hawaii. Register.
There will also be a candlelight vigil on Jan. 30 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the State Capitol Rotunda honoring survivors and remembering those impacted by human trafficking. Speakers will include advocates and service providers within a reflective space to reaffirm a shared community commitment to end human trafficking. Register.
Departments and agencies in attendance for the proclamation signing included the Department of the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Law Enforcement, Honolulu Police Department, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, Kauai Police Department, Kauai Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Hawaii Police Department, the Judiciary’s Family Court of the First Circuit, Department of Human Services, Children’s Justice Center, and the Hawaii Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.