According to the World Population Review, Texas is ranked #10 for states with the highest rates of human trafficking.1 In addition, data from the City of Austin Human Trafficking and Vice Unit reveals that:
- There are an estimated 313,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas.2
- Approximately 79,000 minors and youths are victims of sex trafficking in Texas.3
- Approximately 234,000 workers in Texas are victims of labor trafficking.4
Researchers also established benchmarks on the economic impact of human trafficking:
- Traffickers exploit approximately $600 million per year from victims of labor trafficking in Texas in the most at-risk industries and economic sectors, including migrant farm work, construction, kitchen workers in restaurants, and landscaping services.5
- An estimated $6.5 billion is spent on the lifetime costs of providing care to victims and survivors of minor and youth sex trafficking in Texas, including costs related to law enforcement, prosecution and social services.6
Therefore, in this panel we seek to raise awareness on human trafficking in Central Texas by elevating the lived experienced voice and stories, addressing myths and stereotypes, and exploring what accountability looks like for us as a community.
(1) Human Trafficking Statistics by State 2022. World Population Review. (2) Human Trafficking by the Numbers (3) Ibid. (4) Ibid. (5) Ibid. (6) Ibid.
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 I noon – 1:00 pm
Free I Open to Public I Facebook Live
Panelists
Becky Austen, Lighthouse Director,
Lighthouse Director at Allies Against Slavery
Brooke Grona-Robb, Assistant Attorney General,
Human Trafficking & Transnational/Organized Crime Division
Sophia A. Strother, Author & Lived Experience Expert,
CEO – L2E Industries
Moderators
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