At the state capitol Wednesday afternoon lawmakers and advocates for victims of human trafficking united for a rally to end slavery in the state of Texas. Attorney General Greg Abbott along with Sen. Liticia Van de Putte, Rep. Senfronia Thompson and Rep. Randy Weber spoke at the event. The message was clear that in Texas human trafficking will not be tolerated.
Two new bills were introduced this year that will help prosecution and protect victims of human trafficking. Senate bill 24 that was introduced by Sen. Liticia Van de Putte will increase penalties.
House bill 7 that is still in the begging stages of the process was introduced by Rep. Sefronia Thompson this bill will help protect victims of human trafficking. In her speech she said “We will put the smack down to the traffickers.”
The message was clear that Texas will not tolerate human trafficking. This year the laws will become tougher for traffickers and begin to address the issue of demand.
North Texas was represented by several organizations. Traffick Stop, Prayer for Freedom, and Traffick 911 local organizations and advocates that work to end human trafficking here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. These local organizations drove to Austin to show their support for the incredible work that is happening in the State to end slavery.
TL Grover from Traffick Stop said “The legislative initiative are a step in the right direction and they are beginning to address demand and strengthen the laws of domestic minor sex trafficking”
Deena Graves from Traffick 911 said "Traffick911 appreciates the hard work of our state's leaders to send a strong message to traffickers that Texas is hostile territory. We were able to meet with the offices of 5 of our local legislators, as well as the attorney general's office and governor's office. They all are committed to stopping the buying and selling of American children. They have laid a strong foundation this session to penalize the traffickers and help the children. We still need tougher laws to stop the demand for our kids. We've asked them to use the great foundation laid this session as a springboard to stiffen the penalties for those buying the children and we expect to see more legislation next session."
The event and new laws will send a message loud and clear that trafficking of children and people will not be tolerated in the state of Texas.
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