Agenda 04/08/2008 Item # 4D
Agenda Item No. 40
April 8, 2008
Page 1 of2
PR OCLA M A TION
WHEREAS, according to tha U.S. bepartment of J'ustice. in Q ont~-year period, an estimated 1.6
million children either rtJl1 dWcry from or were thrown out of 'their homes: and,
WHEREAS, an estimated 40,000 of these children will be involved in some form of sexual
exploitation and victimization by predators; and,
WHEReAS, many child victims of prostitution are dbandoned or ncglectcd.chlldren who have not
been reported missing to law enforcement or have run away from their homes Of"
foster care: and,
WHEREAS, the average age at which a child enters into prostitution Is J 4 years old, however,
children as young os 9 years old are being exploited: and,
WHEREAS, though the prostitution of female children Is more wlckly publicized, male children aN
also susceptible to the same dangers as females in this world of exploitation; ond,
WHeREAS, the: dangers that chUdren face as a result of prostitution are both immediate and
lon9~term. Most immediate is the physical, mental, and emotional violence that these
once innocent children experience; and,
WHEREAS, hOU$ing stability, poverty, untreated psychological and emotional problems, substance
abuse, educational and vocational failure and major problems at home have all been
cited as common precipitating factors in the lives of exploited chUdren; one/,
WHEREAS, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Center for Mi;sing and
Exploited Children (NCMEC) have partnered for a national campaign to promote child
safety and help prevent the sexual v<ploitation of children; and,
WHEREAS, the national campaign is being launched here in Collier County to heighten the public
awareness of child sexual exploitation and help give communities across the United
States effective strategies and tools to better safeguard their children: and,
WHEREAS, local communities are requested to join in demonstrating their ,commitment to
protecting children and to send a clear message to child sexual offenders that the
criminal and sexual victimization of chUdren will not be tolerated.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed that the Collier County Board of County Commissioners hereby
joins with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Center of
Missing and Exploited Children (NeMEC) to initiate a campaign dedicated to preventing
s=a' exploitation af children.
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 8th Day af April, 2008.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUIER COUNTY. FLORIDA
TOM HENNING. CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
.--
DWIGHT D. BROCK, CLERK
Page I of I
Agenda Item No. 40
April 8, 2008
Page 2 of2
COLLIER COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Item Number:
Item Summary:
40
Meeting Date:
Proclamation initiating a campaign dedicated to preventing sexual exploitation of children. To
be accepted by Amelia Vasquez, Program Manager from the local National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
4/8/2008 9:00:00 AM
Prepared By
Paula Springs
Board of County
Commissioners
Executive Aide to the BCe
Date
BCC Office
3/21/20083:43:44 PM
Approved By
Sue Filson
Executive Manager to the BCe
Date
Board of County
Commissioners
Bce Office
3/21/20084:53 PM
Approved By
Leo E. Ochs, Jr.
Deputy County Manager
Date
Board of County
Commissioners
County Manager's Office
3/26/2008 11: 28 AM
file;//C:\Agenda T est\Export\ I 04-April%208. %202008\04. %20PROCLAMA TI ONS\4D\4 0%... 4/2/2008