Alameda County proclaims Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

On Jan. 23 the Alameda County Board of Supervisors adopted proclamations recognizing January 2018 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month and February 2018 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

Supervisor Chan read the human-trafficking proclamation and cited local coordination led by the District Attorney's Office, the county HEAT unit, and a countywide advisory council, Alameda County United Against Human Trafficking. A county partner described a billboard campaign with the theme 'human trafficking is real and it's here,' noted a 45-member task force with seven working groups, and outlined school outreach that included a DA deputy prosecutor visiting Saint Leo's Catholic School and students creating posters to support awareness.

Supervisor Haggerty presented the teen-dating-violence proclamation, citing statistics included in the proclamation text and urging education for parents and youth, prevention training for adult allies and stronger resources in schools. A SAVE representative described its youth-education programs and announced a 'Team Stronger Than You Think' youth summit for ages 12–14 on Feb. 10 in Fremont.

Speakers emphasized prevention, education and cross-agency collaboration rather than new board action. The board accepted the proclamations and thanked participating students and nonprofit partners.