AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will observe World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on Tuesday, July 30.
Human trafficking is the exploitation of men, women, and children for labor or sex using force, fraud or coercion. Although trafficking victims may interact regularly with the public, language barriers, emotional manipulation and intensive monitoring can make it difficult for them to reach out for help.
Each year, millions of people across the globe participate in activities designed to draw attention to the issue of human trafficking. This year’s event, Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking, calls for accelerated action by governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and others to end child trafficking.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, children across the world are increasingly vulnerable to trafficking, and the exploding growth of online platforms exploits children who are connecting to these sites without adequate safeguards or supervision.
Children are subjected to various forms of trafficking, including exploitation in forced labor, criminality or begging, trafficked for illegal adoption, recruitment into armed forces, and online exploitation and sexual abuse.
Although TDLR employees have not encountered any children who were suspected human trafficking victims in their inspections and investigations of illicit massage businesses or in industries regulated by the agency, the department recognizes that such an occurrence is possible.
To observe the World Day Against Trafficking, TDLR employees will have the opportunity to attend a training provided on global child trafficking issues and will participate in a social media campaign to raise awareness.
TLDR has provided a variety of training sessions to employees and law enforcement officers and NGOs:
- Child sex trafficking awareness training
- Cultural competency training to provide understanding of the challenges that potential trafficking victims may face in self-identifying as a trafficking victim and getting help
- Targeted investigative training, including services that may be available for foreign trafficking victims
Anyone interested in receiving training from TDLR staff in any area of human trafficking identification or awareness, should submit a request to the TDLR Anti-Trafficking Team.
- To report suspected human trafficking, contact the National Hotline for Human Trafficking at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).
- If the situation is an emergency or you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911 and alert law enforcement authorities.
- You should also file a complainton a TDLR-licensed business that you suspect may be participating in human trafficking.
About TDLR
TDLR provides regulatory oversight for a broad range of occupations, businesses, facilities, and equipment in Texas. The agency protects the health and safety of Texans by ensuring they are served by qualified, licensed professionals. Inspections of individuals, businesses, and equipment are done on a regular basis to safeguard the public. Currently, the agency regulates 38 business and occupational licensing programs with almost 1,000,000 licensees across the state.
Visit TDLR’s website for more information and resources. You can search the TDLR licensee database, and also find past violations in which a final order was issued against companies or individuals. TDLR’s Customer Service line is available anytime between 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 1-800-803-9202. TDLR representatives are fluent in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.