Utah honors groups fighting human trafficking

Photo courtesy of aradaphotography, iStock / Getty Images Plus, St. George News

ST. GEORGE –Today, Attorney General Sean Reyes, in partnership with the Governor’s Office, presented a gubernatorial declaration recognizing January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and awarded several groups, including visiting Haitian dignitaries, that are working to combat human trafficking locally and globally.

“It’s critical that every American understands that human trafficking can be found in every community, robbing victims of innocence, dignity, and hope,” Reyes said. “It is indiscriminate in its predation of people of all backgrounds, regardless of wealth or station. The groups here today deserve our gratitude for protecting the liberty and worth of our innocent children and most vulnerable citizens.”

The Declaration for National Slavery and Human Trafficking designates January in Utah as the month to remember victims and commend all groups, individuals, and public servants for their diligent efforts to educate themselves, inspire others, rebuild lives, and to protect the inherent worth of each citizen and human being.

Notable among those honored was Haiti’s Attorney General, Clame Ocnam Dameus, his Chief of Staff, Jim Petiote, as well as their wives and several staff members, for their work combatting human trafficking in their home country. Ocnam and his team are visiting Utah due to their partnership with Reyes and Operation Underground Railroad to discuss efforts abroad.

In addition, the following eight groups were given special commendation for their efforts to combat human trafficking within the State of Utah.

  • Asian Association of Utah Refugee Immigrant Center
  • Operation Underground Railroad
  • SHEROES United
  • Grace House
  • The Junior League of Salt Lake City
  • Backyard Broadcast
  • Standing Together
  • Fight the New Drug
  • The Junior League of Salt Lake City

Reyes has been a leader and an international voice in the fight against human trafficking and continues to lead Utahns to aggressively fight through education campaigns, support of anti-human trafficking legislations, victim recovery and advocacy. This is accomplished through grassroots and NGO efforts, partnerships with local law enforcement officers and agencies, as well as work initiated by the AG Office through the Utah Trafficking in Persons (UTIP) Task Force and prosecutors of the Utah SECURE Strike Force.

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2 Comments

  • comments January 9, 2018 at 7:14 pm

    sounds like politicians, picking up a pet cause, and then patting themselves on the back for it

    • kkamauu January 12, 2018 at 8:43 pm

      Sorry…. Sean Reyes Atty General couldn’t respond since he was in Haiti at the time you wrote this taking down Human Traffickers. Try doing something with your life instead of complaining. He’s been the cause of rescuing over 900 children to date. Show respect.

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