Durham Council proclaims Human Trafficking Prevention Month; honors Together Resilient Youth

Durham City Council proclaimed January 2026 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month and presented a separate recognition marking 25 years of service by the Together Resilient Youth Coalition (TRY).

Reverend Kara Matthews of Shield NC, introduced after the mayor read the proclamation, told the council that the popular media’s image of trafficking as abduction obscures the reality that most victims are groomed by people they know. "Only 4 to 6 percent of victims enter into trafficking that way," Matthews said, and she added that about "40 percent of trafficking victims are exploited by a family member." She urged residents to take Shield NC’s monthly virtual training (shieldnc.org) and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement and the national trafficking hotline.

Dr. Wanda Boone, accepting the TRY recognition, described the coalition’s prevention and recovery work in Durham, including naloxone distribution and community-rooted resilience programming. The mayor and council thanked both groups for their work and encouraged residents to use available trainings and resources.

The proclamations were ceremonial; no formal policy action was taken at the meeting. Councilmembers also used the ceremonial segment to emphasize public-safety priorities for 2026, including affordable housing and violence-reduction efforts shared with county partners. The council moved on to its regular agenda after remarks and a round of New Year greetings from members.

The council did not provide additional funding decisions or formal directives related to these proclamations at the Jan. 5 meeting; the items were recognitions and calls for community engagement.