Dane County Board Recognizes Human Trafficking Prevention Month

January 15, 2026
Dylan Moffitt, Policy, Outreach, and Communications Coordinator, (608) 228-9053
County Board

DANE COUNTY, Wis. — On Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, the Dane County Board of Supervisors officially recognized January 2026 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The board passed 2025 RES-298 to mark this observance and affirm the county board’s commitment to supporting prevention efforts and uplifting survivors.

Human Trafficking Prevention Month is intended to raise awareness about trafficking and empower individuals, organizations and communities to take action. The 2026 theme—“Stronger Connections. Stronger Futures.”—emphasizes the role everyday relationships and community connections play in preventing exploitation. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, since 2007 Wisconsin has seen 1,117 identified cases and 2,212 identified victims of human trafficking.

“Human trafficking affects individuals and families in every type of community, including here in Dane County,” said County Board Chair Patrick Miles. “Recognizing Human Trafficking Prevention Month is a call to strengthen the connections that protect people from exploitation, to invest in prevention and survivor-centered services, and to support the organizations doing this work every day. The county board remains committed to policies and partnerships that prioritize dignity, safety and justice for all.”

“Preventing human trafficking requires coordination across agencies, nonprofits, and the broader community,” said Supervisor Erin Welsh (Dist. 7), who read the resolution. “This month underscores the importance of education, early intervention and a shared commitment to protecting the safety and dignity of every person in Dane County.”

The board also recognized and commended the work of Project RESPECT, a program of ARC Community Services, Inc., of Madison, for providing critical support services to survivors and promoting prevention through programming.

“A coordinated strategy that includes addressing root causes that drive social and economic insecurity strengthens human trafficking prevention efforts and reduces the conditions that allow exploitation to thrive,” said Jan Miyasaki, director of Project RESPECT.

The Dane County Board of Supervisors reaffirms its commitment to advancing collaborative, community-based strategies that reduce vulnerability, strengthen protective factors and ensure survivors of human trafficking are met with dignity, support and opportunity.

###

About the Dane County Board of Supervisors: The Dane County Board of Supervisors is the legislative and policymaking body of Dane County government. Composed of 37 supervisors elected to represent each county district, the county board’s mission is to effectively represent the people of Dane County, providing services that secure the blessings of freedom, ensure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare, and perfect the forms of government. Learn more about the county board at https://board.danecounty.gov/.