Councilmember Dunn, joined by Councilmembers Teresa Mosqueda and Rhonda Lewis, proclaim January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month
I recently joined Councilmembers Teresa Mosqueda and Rhonda Lewis to proclaim January 2026 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in King County. We must take every opportunity to raise awareness of the exploitation of people in all forms and continue to combat the terrible abuses caused by human trafficking.
As a former federal prosecutor, I am proud of our region’s leadership on combatting human trafficking, with Washington becoming the first state in the nation to criminalize human trafficking in 2003.
In 2019, my colleagues at King County and I, along with the Port of Seattle, City of Seattle, Sound Transit, and other private sector and community partners, launched an awareness campaign against human trafficking, leading to a significantly increased number of calls to the National Human Trafficking Awareness Hotline.
This is one of many initiatives I have been proud to have supported at the King County Council, including funding to develop outreach and awareness materials, and procurement policies to combat trafficking.
In recognizing Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we are renewing our commitment to fight exploitation and affirm that everyone deserves safety and dignity.
Several years ago, the King County Council passed legislation I sponsored to create training for taxi and for-hire drivers regarding human trafficking. Under renewed efforts, the King County For-Hire Licensing Team launched an awareness and prevention training program for taxi drivers in November 2024. In the first year of the program, 1,416 people completed the training, which is offered online at no cost to drivers.
While trafficking usually occurs out of general view, some victims report being transported by taxis and other for-hire transportation to and from the location where they were exploited.
For-hire drivers are in a unique position to be allies in the fight against human trafficking, and training helps ensure that more victims and survivors of trafficking are seen and offered help when they need it most.
Thanks to this initiative, all taxi drivers operating in King County now know how to identify the signs and report a potential human trafficking situation.
To learn more about for-hire transportation licensing in King County, visit kingcounty.gov/ForHire.
I hope you're looking forward to celebrating Lunar New Year this year as much as I am! Next Saturday, the first of many celebrations will take place in District 9 in Renton. See details below!
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Date: Feb 14
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Time: 2-4 pm
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Location: King County Library System Renton Highlands Library, 2801 NE 10th St Renton, WA 98056
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Description: Celebrate the Lunar New Year with performances, games, and giveaways! Enjoy performances from: Hua Yin Dance Performing Arts Group and NW Korean Art Center! After the performances, a game of "Yut", a traditional Korean board game, will be played! Plus, a lucky 10 people will win a Yut game set through a raffle!
Learn more here!
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