Saline County proclaims January Human Trafficking Prevention and Stalking Awareness months

The Saline County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 7 unanimously approved proclamations presented by the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas recognizing January 2025 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and National Stalking Awareness Month.

Jalen Alexander of the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas read the human trafficking proclamation, which described human trafficking as "the second largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world" and said traffickers often use "force, fraud, and or coercion" to exploit victims. Alexander said the U.S. Justice Department has identified Kansas as an originating state for human trafficking and that most trafficking in Kansas involves local children. "Together we commit to a society where our sense of justice tells us that United we can eradicate this wrong," Alexander said.

After reading the proclamation Alexander said DVAC and partner organizations will host multiple information tables and outreach events during January to raise awareness.

The board then approved a second proclamation, read by Alexander, designating January as National Stalking Awareness Month. The stalking proclamation noted stalking is criminal under Kansas law, often committed by someone the victim knows, and can escalate to violence. Alexander said many victims relocate, change identities or get protection orders and that communities should adopt multidisciplinary response teams and improve victim services.

Both proclamations were presented, moved and seconded on the floor and adopted by voice vote recorded as 4-0. The proclamations were signed and photographed at the meeting.

The proclamations are symbolic recognitions and do not impose legal obligations; Alexander described planned outreach and information tables but did not provide event dates or locations during the meeting.