Gastonia Times

The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) issued a recent report that discusses how the state and local communities are fighting back against human trafficking, of which Texas has the second-highest rate in the country.

The report notes that human trafficking is a $150 billion industry that affects the lives of nearly 25 million sex trafficking victims. Last year Texas declared human trafficking a public health issue during the legislative session.

"The connection between children with a history of child welfare involvement and human trafficking is clear," the report states. "According to a Children’s Bureau report, it is estimated that 50% to 90% of trafficking victims have previous history with child welfare services."

The report notes that children who have a history of foster care are more vulnerable and because they have a history of being mistreated, that and the trauma of being removed from their homes means they are easily exploited by traffickers.

The TPPF suggests encouraging the community initiatives that fight against human trafficking such as expanding community-based foster care, urging state law enforcement to participate in national initiatives and for the state to consider a three-digit phone number to access the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

The foundation also believes the state needs to support and align with the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act so that minors who are victims will not be falsely labeled as perpetrators, which impacts survivors' rehabilitation.

The report says that because the numbers of human trafficking victims continue to rise, the state and the country need to make policies that prevent and intervene to combat trafficking, especially pertaining to children.

"Texas must address how the child welfare system is contributing to the rising numbers in human trafficking victims," the report concludes. "As more children enter care, more children are at risk of becoming victims of trafficking due to increased trauma, lack of positive relationships, and a general lack of emotional and economic stability."

The foundation stressed the importance of community recognition and involvement.