Thread: TX-Tighter laws on traffickers get results

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Tighter laws on traffickers get results
Advocates praise state’s progress against human smugglers
By SUSAN CARROLL

Sept. 18, 2009, 8:27PM

TRAFFICKING TERROR
Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. Victims are young children, teenagers, men and women. To report human trafficking, call the national tip and rescue hot line at 1-888-373-7888. The city has declared this week, starting today, Human Trafficking Awareness Week. For information on events, visit www.houstonrr.org.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Houston Rescue & Restore
Advocates for human trafficking victims say Texas lawmakers have strengthened state legislation aimed at prosecuting traffickers, leading to the first batch of indictments since Texas first criminalized human trafficking in 2003.

San Antonio prosecutors in August secured multi-count indictments under the state law in cases involving the trafficking of two children, ages 13 and 15, said Sgt. Chris Burchell, a investigator with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.

Burchell, who also heads up the Texas Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Child Sexual Exploitation Coalition, said prosecutors brought the charges against seven suspects in the two cases.

With recent changes in state law, Burchell said, “peace officers in Texas are going to be empowered to the job.â€

Traffickers will now start flooding ACORN offices for help!