Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Human Trafficking topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Franklin County proclaims January 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness Month; Willow advocate describes local services
Summary
The Franklin County Commission on Jan. 29 adopted Proclamation 25.01 designating January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and heard that the Willow Domestic Violence Center served 21 human-trafficking survivors in 2024 and covers nine counties in northeast Kansas.
The Franklin County Commission on Jan. 29 adopted Proclamation 25.01 designating January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and heard from a Willow Domestic Violence Center advocate about local services for survivors.
The proclamation, read during the commission's meeting, lists local law enforcement and service providers involved in anti‑trafficking efforts, including the Ottawa Police Department, Wellsville Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, the Willow Domestic Violence Center, AdventHealth, Ottawa University, Neosho County Community College, the Elizabeth Layton Center, RADAC and Unified School Districts 287, 288, 289 and 290. The proclamation states that Kansas human‑trafficking laws define commercial sexual exploitation of children without requiring proof of force, fraud, threat or coercion.
Zoe Barlow, the Willow’s Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence Community Advocate, told the commission the Willow has served survivors in northeast Kansas since 2014 and that its human‑trafficking program covers nine counties in the region. "In 2024, the Willow provided services to 21 survivors of human trafficking with services ranging from safe shelter to court advocacy and case management," Barlow said.
Barlow told commissioners that trafficking is not always organized as large "rings" and can occur between two people; traffickers can be acquaintances, family members or intimate partners. The proclamation text, quoted at the meeting, urges citizens to support survivors, hold offenders accountable and participate in prevention and community programs.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the proclamation. The roll call record shows Commissioner Sotomayor, Commissioner Wehmeyer, Vice Chair Meador, Commissioner Dickinson and Chair Harris voting "yes." No amendments or conditions were recorded. The proclamation was filed as Proclamation 25.01.
The Willow Domestic Violence Center representative and the commission noted the need for continued community coordination and survivor‑informed approaches to services and prevention.
A signed copy of Proclamation 25.01 will be kept with county records.
