88R10138 BK-D
By: Stucky H.R. No. 114
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Human trafficking is an insidious crime that
exploits the most vulnerable members of society, robbing victims of
their freedom and dignity and weakening the very foundation of our
communities; and
WHEREAS, As defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act
of 2000, human trafficking primarily occurs in the form of sex or
labor trafficking, which may be compelled through the use of force,
threats, deception, or other means of coercion; and
WHEREAS, Although anyone can fall victim to this crime,
certain populations are at higher risk due to a lack of prevention
and services, including boys and young men, people who have been
affected by sexual violence or prior abuse, people experiencing
poverty, homelessness, or unstable living conditions, and
individuals who are systemically marginalized and underserved;
victims can be trafficked in person and online, in industries such
as food service and construction, and by both strangers and people
they know, including intimate partners, parents, and other family
members; and
WHEREAS, The keys to preventing human trafficking include
raising awareness and building resilience within our communities,
reducing social inequities, and addressing the social determinants
of health in underserved populations; and
WHEREAS, Human trafficking requires a coordinated,
community-wide response, and one of the organizations working to
serve human trafficking victims in North Texas is Bob's House of
Hope in Argyle, which was founded by Robert "Bob" Williams in 2021;
Bob's House of Hope is the first safe house in the country dedicated
to adult male survivors of sex trafficking, and it endeavors to
provide person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally and
linguistically appropriate care, along with other resources to help
these victims attain education and employment and rebuild their
lives; and
WHEREAS, Human trafficking is a violation of the fundamental
rights that are owed to every man, woman, and child, and the
observance of Human Trafficking Prevention Month calls on all of us
to affirm our commitment to preventing and responding to human
trafficking in our communities and to ensuring the safety,
security, and well-being of human trafficking survivors; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize January 2023 as Human Trafficking
Prevention Month and encourage all Texans to learn more about human
trafficking and the ways they can help the victims of this terrible
crime.