Tagged: Human Trafficking

Each year human traffickers force thousands of people into slave-like conditions. Several major highways in Texas make the state a hub for human traffickers.

State Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) authored a bill that she hopes will deter people from forcing others into involuntary labor or services – often including prostitution.

As the City of Austin gears up to host some extra 90,000 out of state fans during the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Austin Police Department is preparing for another increase – a potential increase in human trafficking cases.

Police say trafficking cases rise with every big influx of visitors into a city. “When there's an increased demand for a product, there's going to be an increase in supply,” says Sergeant Keith Suitt with the Austin Police Department's Human Trafficking Unit. “And we expect that for a lot of events so we try to address that."

The City of Austin’s Public Safety Commission is scheduled to receive an update on local human trafficking cases at its meeting this afternoon. It’s a subject that’s very important to Luis CdeBaca, the U.S. Ambassador appointed to combat modern day slavery around the world.