Washington County proclaims January 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness Month

The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to proclaim January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Washington County.

The resolution, moved by Commissioner Janice and adopted by roll call, urges residents to learn the indicators of trafficking, post hotline information, and report suspicious activity. It directs publication of local resources and encourages businesses, faith groups and residents to avoid products made with forced labor.

Joanna Dragan, a local victim-services advocate, told the commissioners the county is not immune to trafficking and described a network of prosecutors, law enforcement and service providers that refer survivors to help. “We can link them, with the resources that they need, whether it be housing, food, transportation, and other things,” Dragan said. She said the task force can help survivors whether they want to pursue criminal justice remedies or only need counseling and support.

Dragan also noted flyers and wallet-sized cards with trafficking indicators and the National Human Trafficking Hotline number (888-373-7888) are available for distribution in the community. “If you see something to say something,” she said.

The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Janice and accepted by Dragan on behalf of the Washington County Human Trafficking Task Force and the CARE Center STARS program, which serves Washington and Greene counties. The measure passed on a unanimous roll call vote: Commissioner Maggi — yes; Commissioner Janice — yes; Commissioner Sherman — yes.

The county clerk said a task-force website and printed materials with local resources will be made available to the public.