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Multnomah County proclaims January 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month
Summary
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a proclamation recognizing January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month, highlighting county programs and collaborative efforts to support survivors and improve screening and services.
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners adopted a proclamation declaring January 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month and heard presentations from county staff and community advocates about services for survivors and the collaborative approach to prevention and care.
Claire Barrera, Multnomah County’s human-trafficking senior strategist, told commissioners the county-funded New Day program has served 623 unique youth identified as survivors or at very high risk between 2018 and 2024. "The voices and expertise of those most impacted must be front and center in every aspect of our effort to prevent and respond to human trafficking," Barrera told the board.
Lydia Sovle, an advocate with the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization’s (IRCO) Services Against Exploitation program, described access barriers for immigrant, refugee, trans and disabled survivors and called for more bilingual, culturally specific services. Andrea Matheny, a survivor and advocate with *** Worker Affirming Advocates, described her experience and called for both decriminalization of consensual sex work and expanded supports — housing, mental health, job training and legal aid — for survivors and people seeking safer conditions.
Commissioners praised the collaborative efforts and survivor-centered approach. Commissioner Moyer emphasized that most trafficking victims are exploited by someone known to them and urged attention to local and interpersonal dynamics. Commissioner Singleton, drawing on social-work experience, thanked advocates for centering survivors and highlighted the collaborative’s training and screening work. The board heard that in fiscal year 2023–24 the county-funded New Day program served 104 unique youth (the proclamation text and presenters included both the 623 figure for 2018–2024 and a FY23–24 count of 104 in different parts of the record).
Board action: Commissioner Brent Edwards moved the proclamation; Commissioner Singleton seconded. A roll-call vote was taken and the proclamation was adopted unanimously.
Why this matters: County staff and community partners described growing, coordinated efforts to improve screening, expand survivor access to housing and services, and advance training for professionals who encounter trafficking survivors. Advocates urged increased funding and survivor leadership in program design.
What’s next: The county said it will launch an awareness campaign in January 2025 and offer training on working with immigrant and refugee survivors through the Family Violence Coordination Council.
