Pierce County proclaims January 2026 Human Trafficking and Slavery Awareness and Prevention Month

The Pierce County Council and executive declared January 2026 Human Trafficking and Slavery Awareness and Prevention Month on Tuesday, reading a proclamation that cited federal law and asked residents to report suspected trafficking to national and local hotlines.

Councilmember Kuver read the proclamation detailing the scope of modern trafficking — including labor trafficking and exploitation through online platforms — and listing local partners and resources. The proclamation noted recent county data and the disproportionate impacts on Native communities and encouraged coordinated prevention, survivor-centered services and public awareness.

Survivor advocates and service providers addressed the council after the proclamation. "We create pathways out of homelessness, addiction, human trafficking, and domestic violence through partnerships with law enforcement," Christine Moreland, founder and executive director of The More We Love, told the council, describing a 24-hour crisis line and an intake shelter that currently serves Tacoma-area participants. "We are taking in a regional approach ... and we stand with you ready to fight the human trafficking that we need to."

Carolyn Duford, a Puyallup tribal member and anti-trafficking program manager, told the council that trafficking targets Native communities at disproportionate rates and tied the issue to the region's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIWP) concerns. "This issue is connected to MMIWP," she said, adding that tribal communities deserve fuller inclusion in prevention and response planning.

Rusty Wilder, chief of operations for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, thanked community partners and said the sheriff’s office will prioritize trafficking work despite staffing shortages. "This is a priority," Wilder said, calling trafficking a "scourge of slavery."

Christine Gilje, founder of Compassion Washington, described training and outreach tied to the upcoming World Cup events and said her group has provided free mobile medical and dental clinics (reported at 14 events totaling more than $1,000,000 in services). She announced online training beginning Jan. 30 and said partners will engage visitors and fans to distribute resources and raise awareness.

The council also said it will pursue workshop and coordination opportunities with the safety committee to plan outreach and readiness tied to major events. The proclamation closes by encouraging residents, organizations and governments to engage in education, prevention and survivor support activities and lists the national trafficking hotline and regional provider contact information.

The council took no formal action beyond the proclamation; it will continue to receive input and coordinate with partner agencies.