MOTION 
OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 
RECOGNIZING HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY 
AND 
NATIONAL SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING 
PREVENTION MONTH 
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION 
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery where people profit from the control and exploitation
of others through sexual slavery, forced labor, debt bondage, involuntary servitude, and child labor.
According to law enforcement authorities, human trafficking is the fastest growing and most lucrative
criminal enterprise in the world and is tied with arms dealing as the second largest international criminal
industry behind drug dealing. It is estimated that 800,000 to 900,000 victims are annually trafficked
across international borders worldwide and between 14,500 and 17,500 victims are trafficked into the
United States annually. Some of these trafficking victims may enter the United States through the Port of
Seattle (the "Port"). 
Traffickers prey on the most vulnerable in society. More than half the victims trafficked into the United
States annually are children, and both adult men and women, are targeted. According to a report by the
Washington State Trafficking of Persons Task Force, Seattle is part of a trafficking circuit, and
Washington state is a center for the recruitment, transportation and sale of people for sexual purposes or
for forced labor.
Various federal agencies, state and local governments and the Port have joined together in Washington
state to form an anti-trafficking task force, the Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking or
WashACT), and the Washington Anti-Trafficking Response Network (WARN) brings together service
providers, criminal justice agencies and victim-advocacy groups to help trafficking victims. As a result of
these efforts, Washington state is raising awareness and making significant progress to combat human
trafficking. 
The Port of Seattle Commission (the "Commission") recognizes that human trafficking is a global
problem which must be confronted and eradicated at the international, national, state and local levels. 
The Commission is proud that the State of Washington became the first state in the country to criminalize
human trafficking in 2003 and has partnered effectively with government agencies and non-profit
organizations to control human trafficking. The Commission further notes that Attorney General
McKenna as the 2011-2012 President of the National Association of Attorneys General has selected
human trafficking as the focus of his year as president of the association. 
The Port has worked with other government agencies and non-profit organizations to bring concerned
stakeholders together to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts. In November 2010, a Human Security and
Anti-Trafficking Forum was held at the Port. The Commission endorsed the Town Hall on "Trafficking
of Local Girls" presented by the Women's Funding Alliance, the Seattle City Council, the Seattle Human
Services Department and YouthCare on January 20, 2011. A Port Commissioner testified in support of
SB 5546, passed by the legislature in April 2011, which expanded the criminal definition of human
trafficking and provided authorities with additional tools to apprehend and prosecute traffickers. A Port
Commissioner also was a panelist at a legislative work session on human trafficking held by the state
Senate Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee in October 2011.
The Port of Seattle Police Department (the "POSPD") officers have received basic and updated training
specific to the issue of human trafficking. Officers participated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation

in the "Innocence Lost Campaign" to recover children being trafficked for sexual exploitation and
partnered with "Seattle Against Slavery" to place posters intended to assist potential trafficking victims.
The POSPD is involved with WashACT, working to insure that victims receive all resources available to
them; and that human traffickers are identified, investigated and prosecuted to the utmost extent of the
law. WashACT also serves as the Advisory Committee for a U.S. Department of Justice human
trafficking grant awarded to the Seattle Police Department. WashACT members meet regularly to share
information on trafficking, identify and remedy gaps in services to victims and coordinate investigations
and prosecution of trafficking cases. 
The Port of Seattle continues to seek the most effective ways to inform concerned individuals about the
human trafficking risks at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the Seaport and to cooperate with our
federal, state and local partners to discourage traffickers from transiting Port facilities. 
The President of the United States issued a proclamation declaring that January 2012 is National Slavery
and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and called upon the people of the United States "to recognize
the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs
and activities." 
MOTION 

1. The Commission recognizes January 11, 2012, as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day and
January 2012 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. 
2. The Commission notes a joint media event is planned for January 11, 2012, with participation by the
King County Council, the Seattle City Council, the Mayor of Seattle, and the Port Commission
highlighting the issue of human trafficking and the importance of awareness and prevention. 
3. The Commission commends the Port's ongoing cooperation with other government agencies and nonprofit
organizations to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts in King County and Washington state and
especially at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (the "Airport"). 
4. The Commission directs the Port to make additional efforts to increase the awareness of human
trafficking by conducting training and other activities which help Port employees and Airport workers
identify signs of possible trafficking, give victims information on how to obtain help, educate travelers
about human trafficking and provide information on how to report suspicious situations or concerns. 
5. The Commission urges businesses operating at Port facilities to attend local meetings or seminars
where efforts to prevent human trafficking are discussed to become more knowledgeable about this issue. 
6. The Commission encourages all King County residents to become informed about human trafficking 
and to join efforts to combat all forms of modern-day slavery.