WHEREAS, human trafficking is criminal activity in which perpetrators treat human beings as possessions and profit from involuntary labor or forced prostitution of others by means of threats, fraud or coercion, and
WHEREAS, human trafficking is a $32 billion illegal industry that ensnares an estimated 27 million people worldwide, including in Kentucky where advocacy groups say children as young as 2 months old have been victims of sexual exploitation, and
WHEREAS, children are twice as likely as adults to be trafficked, with the average girl groomed for prostitution being between 12 and 14 years old, and
WHEREAS, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center cites that Kentucky has more reported incidents of human trafficking as occurring at a hotel or motel than any other location, and
WHEREAS, the Bible describes individuals as being created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), affirms the sanctity and dignity of all human life (Psalm 8:4-5), and calls upon believers to speak up for those who cannot defend themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9), and
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we, the messengers to the 179th annual meeting of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, urge all Kentucky Baptists to educate themselves and others about human trafficking, how to prevent it, and how to minister to those who have been victimized by it.
BE IT THEREFORE FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon all Kentucky Baptists to pray for justice, the deliverance and healing of the victims and their families and for the repentance of the perpetrators.
BE IT THEREFORE FURTHER RESOLVED that we encourage Kentucky Baptists to support agencies and ministries which help rescue and rehabilitate trafficking victims.
BE IT THEREFORE FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon Kentucky Baptists to support public policies at the local, state, national, and international level which combat human trafficking.
BE IT THEREFORE FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon Kentucky Baptists to support hotels and motels at the local, state, national and international level which train employees to recognize and report suspected incidents of human trafficking.
BE IT THEREFORE FURTHER RESOLVED that we affirm the important work of persons in law enforcement, education, medicine, counseling, and other professions who address human trafficking through their assigned responsibilities, and we pledge our prayerful support.