World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we pause to thank all in our communities who work so tirelessly to support survivors of human trafficking.
Human traffickers hold men, women and children against their will, destroying their individuality, stripping away their dignity. Through force, fraud or coercion, these victims are made to work—many times in the sex industry—for little or no income. Some are just young girls and boys, sold as mere property, as modern-day slaves.
Because of the commitment of leaders in this state and in our communities, Texas is already a leader in the battle against human trafficking.
I was so honored to help launch the statewide "Can You See Me?" campaign last year to help Texans to recognize indicators of human trafficking and learn how to report suspicious behavior to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (888) 373-7888 and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
I ask that all Texans join us in the fight. These victims are not invisible if we learn to look for the signs, if we learn how to report suspected abuse, exploitation and trafficking.
I have no doubt that by joining together, we can help end this inhumanity, because nothing on this earth is more powerful than Texans helping Texans.
#TexasSeesYou
The "Can You See Me?" campaign is a partnership between A21, the Outdoor Advertising Association of Texas and Governor Greg Abbott's Child Sex Trafficking Team.