Proclamation
Alameda County Board of Supervisors
National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January 2026
WHEREAS, human trafficking is a grave human rights violation and a form of modern-day slavery that strips adults and children of autonomy, safety, and dignity through force, fraud, or coercion; and
WHEREAS, Alameda County remains a hot spot for human trafficking in the United States, requiring a coordinated countywide response that is firm in accountability, unwavering in compassion, and centered on survivor autonomy; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, the National Human Trafficking Hotline received 3,378 signals from California, identifying 1,733 potential cases and 3,603 potential victims, and received 32,309 signals nationwide, identifying 11,999 potential cases and 21,865 potential victims—demonstrating the pervasive and ongoing harm of human trafficking and the urgent need for survivor-centered, prevention-driven responses; and
WHEREAS, survivors of human trafficking are not defined by their exploitation, but by their strength, resilience, and inherent right to live free from violence, exploitation, and control. Human trafficking disproportionately targets and harms historically marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, Latino, and other people of color; Asian American and Pacific Islander communities; women and girls; LGBTQIA+ individuals—particularly transgender individuals; and those living at the intersections of poverty, racism, xenophobia, and gender-based violence; and
WHEREAS, Alameda County data demonstrates that survivors are disproportionately Black, Indigenous, and people of color, and that more than half have experienced foster care, while Asian American survivors remain undercounted due to systemic barriers and limited access to trusted reporting pathways; and
WHEREAS, survivors from immigrant communities—including, but not limited to, Asian American and Pacific Islander and Latino communities—are frequently underrepresented in trafficking data due to language barriers, immigration-related fears, cultural stigma, labor exploitation in informal or isolated workplaces, and limited access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services; and
WHEREAS, traffickers exploit survivors in industries such as agriculture, hospitality, construction, domestic work, personal services, and online platforms by weaponizing unmet needs for housing, safety, employment, and belonging. The continued existence of human trafficking in California demands a comprehensive, prevention-driven response and recognizing that trafficking is a preventable form of violence; and
WHEREAS, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office works in sustained partnership with survivor-led and community-based organizations to provide holistic, survivor-centered support that advances healing, restoration, and access to resources; and
WHEREAS, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Assistance Division includes highly trained advocates with specialized expertise in supporting survivors of human trafficking through trauma-informed, culturally responsive, language-accessible, and immigration-sensitive advocacy, in close coordination with community-based organizations to prevent re-trafficking and promote long-term stability and self-determination; and
WHEREAS, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and community partners have broken the silence surrounding human trafficking and prevented countless incidences of abuse and exploitation, and remain dedicated to treating trafficking survivors with compassion and dignity and provide wrap-around services to support their journey of healing and empowerment
THEREFORE, that this Board of Supervisors, County of Alameda, does hereby recognize January 2026 as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and reaffirms its commitment to a survivor-centered, prevention-driven approach that advances dignity, safety, healing, and long-term stability for all individuals impacted by human trafficking.