The California Senate on Jan. 23, 2025 adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 10 (SCR 10), declaring January 2025 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month and urging continued action to prevent trafficking and support survivors.

Senator Grove, the resolutions author, told colleagues the measure recognizes a persistent and evolving problem and highlighted that traffickers "target our most vulnerable children," including youth in foster care, group homes and residential treatment facilities. Grove cited state and national data in explaining why the legislatures continuing work is needed and described survivor-led efforts and local programs providing housing and services.

Why it matters

Sponsors said the resolution is intended to keep public attention on trafficking while lawmakers pursue legislative and funding responses. Grove told the Senate the state receives a large number of hotline tips and that local, state and federal law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations face sustained demands; the sponsor also said survivor voices informed recent bills and outreach efforts.

Floor discussion

- Senator Grove (author): urged members to "take a strong stance against those who seek to exploit for profit another human being," and described a multi-pronged approach that includes survivor services, housing options and translated, accessible information for the public.

- Senator Choi: "Awareness leads to prevention, stronger laws and greater support for survivors," she said, and noted the need to transform awareness into action and better survivor services.

- Senator Rubio: urged vigilance and said trafficking "happens in every single community," asking people to view victims as individuals in their own communities and families.

- Senator Ashby: highlighted City of Refuge, noting the program provides housing and services for survivors and that the Senate supported a $1,000,000 allocation in the prior budget to assist housing efforts.

Sponsors framing and data cited

Grove referenced multiple points emphasized in the resolution and floor remarks: the economic scale of trafficking (a figure cited on the floor was $150,000,000,000 annually), the disproportionate vulnerability of some groups (including youth in foster care and certain racial and indigenous populations), and the need for cooperation across jurisdictions to protect children and survivors. Grove said the resolution also signals support for survivor-informed legislation and for coalition efforts that include law enforcement, service providers and advocates.

Outcome

SCR 10 was adopted by unanimous consent on the floor; the clerk recorded ayes 35, noes 0. The resolution is a formal expression of the Legislatures support for awareness and survivor services; it does not itself create a new program or legal authority.

Next steps

Sponsors indicated they and others will continue to draft and pursue bills and funding requests aimed at prevention, survivor services and protecting youth in licensed facilities. Local organizations named in floor remarks, such as City of Refuge and survivor-led groups, are likely to be partners in implementation and outreach.

Ending

The Senate recessed after the floor session and scheduled its next session for Jan. 30, 2025.