AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage is seeking to raise awareness of human trafficking.

The Republican governor will sign a proclamation on Friday that designates next week as “Human Trafficking Awareness Week.”

He will be joined by Republican Sen. Amy Volk, who sponsored a bill last session that, among other things, made sex trafficking an affirmative defense to prostitution charges. LePage signed the bill into law last April.

Law enforcement agencies and several advocacy groups will also attend Friday’s ceremony in the Statehouse’s Hall of Flags, including the Preble Street Resource Center, Salvation Army and the St. Andre Home.