The Senate has unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) to recognize January as National Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Month.

This resolution is cosponsored by Senators Pat Leahy (D-Vt.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)

“Many Americans assume that human trafficking occurs only outside the United States, but sadly that’s not the case,” said Senator Feinstein. “Trafficking is a serious problem in this country, and the overwhelming majority of sex trafficking victims are U.S. citizens. Designating January as National Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Month will help increase awareness of trafficking and help prevent the victimization of women and vulnerable children.”

"More than half of the victims trafficked in the United States are under the age of 18," said Senator Kirk. "With the Super Bowl only days away, it's important to recognize this weekend as high-risk for vulnerable men, women and children so that we can help prevent the spread of modern-day slavery and the continued victimization of our nation's most vulnerable."

The resolution is endorsed by Shared Hope International, Rights4Girls, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and ECPAT-USA.

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