WHEREAS, human trafficking is modern day slavery with an estimated 27.6 million people affected worldwide, and with cases being reported in every U.S. state and territory; and

WHEREAS, human traffickers lure their victims with promises of honest work opportunities, safe housing, and the opportunity of a better life, using coercion and fraud to force victims into servitude and commercial sex; and

WHEREAS, trafficking is the second most profitable crime trade worldwide, only behind the illicit drug trafficking crime trade; and

WHEREAS, human trafficking is a public health issue and crime that exploits the most vulnerable among us and weakens the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities across generations, and occurs in both rural and urban Alaska; and

WHEREAS, although human trafficking can happen to anyone, certain populations are disproportionately at risk, including people affected by abuse, violence, poverty, unstable living situations, social disconnection, or discrimination; and

WHEREAS, human trafficking can be prevented by building individual, community, and societal understanding and resilience, and addressing the conditions that contribute to exploitation; and

WHEREAS, those in need of assistance can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text "help" to BeFree (233733).

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim January 2026 as:

Alaska Human Trafficking Prevention Month

in Alaska and reaffirm our commitment to increase awareness and education on human trafficking, make resources available to assist survivors in recovery as they rebuild their lives, and build diverse public-private partnerships to support a more comprehensive response to prevent and respond to human trafficking.

Dated: January 1, 2026