[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 150 (Monday, September 19, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7922-H7926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION ACT OF 2022

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 7181) to amend the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 
2000 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to seek to provide for 
the posting of contact information of the national human trafficking 
hotline in the restrooms of each aircraft, airport, over-the-road bus, 
bus station, passenger train, and passenger railroad station operating 
within the United States, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7181

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Human Trafficking Prevention 
     Act of 2022''.

     SEC. 2. POSTING OF NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING PHONE NUMBER IN 
                   CERTAIN RESTROOMS.

       Section 107(b)(1)(B)(ii) of the Trafficking Victims 
     Protection Act of 2000 (enacted as division A of the Victims 
     of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 
     7105(b)(1)(B)(ii))) is amended by--
       (1) striking the third sentence; and
       (2) inserting after the period at the end the following: 
     ``The contact information of the national human trafficking 
     hotline (including options to reach out to the hotline such 
     as through phone, text, or TTY) shall be posted as follows:

       ``(I) In a visible place in all Federal buildings.
       ``(II) The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall seek 
     to coordinate with the owners and operators of aircraft, 
     airports, over-the road buses, bus stations, passenger 
     trains, and passenger railroad stations to place the contact 
     information of the national human trafficking hotline in the 
     restrooms of each such aircraft, airport, over the-road bus, 
     bus station, passenger train, and passenger railroad station 
     operating within the United States.
       ``(III) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and in 
     coordination with the heads of such other Federal agencies as 
     may be appropriate, shall place the contact information of 
     the national human trafficking hotline at each port of 
     entry.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Fitzgerald) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 7181.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7181, the Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 2022, 
would provide for the posting of the contact information for the 
National Human Trafficking Hotline in the restrooms of our country's 
transportation centers, where we know many trafficking victims pass 
through, as well as all Federal buildings and ports of entry to inform 
victims and those who witness suspected trafficking situations that 
help is available.
  As I have said many times before, smuggling people across 
international borders is an equally troubling crime but distinct from 
human trafficking. Smugglers must be prosecuted, and the exploitation 
of their victims must not go unpunished. While many believe human 
trafficking happens only in other countries, the victimization of 
adults, youth, and children for the purposes of performing labor, 
commercial sex acts, and other services happens on an enormous scale in 
rural, urban, and suburban communities across the United States. We can 
document that by many organizations that are fighting the scourge of 
human trafficking.
  H.R. 7181 would require the posting of the National Human Trafficking 
Hotline contact information in all Federal buildings; require the 
Department of Transportation and the Department of Health and Human 
Services to coordinate with owners and operators of transportation hubs 
such as airports, bus stations, and train stations to post the contact 
information for the hotline in their restrooms; and, three, require the 
Department of Health and Human Services and other appropriate Federal 
agencies to post the hotline's contact information at every port of 
entry.
  In 2020, more than 11,193 instances of potential human trafficking 
were reported to the United States National Human Trafficking Hotline.

                              {time}  1645

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. In Texas, there are reportedly 313,000 victims of 
human trafficking at any given time, including 79,000 children and 
youth who are victims of sex trafficking and 234,000 adults who are 
victims of labor trafficking. The victims of human trafficking tend to 
be concealed, living in fear and isolated, in some cases physically and 
in other cases emotionally.
  They might remain under the control of their traffickers for a 
variety of reasons, including a lack of the basic necessities to 
escape, like transportation or a safe place to go. Some may be afraid 
for their safety, while others may not recognize that they are under 
the control of their trafficker. Even after they are rescued or escape, 
there is always a possibility the victims will be revictimized.
  The National Human Trafficking Hotline is an essential component of 
the fight to end human trafficking, offering toll-free phone lines and 
SMS text lines that are available 24 hours a day, every day of the 
year. The hotline provides help, safety, and hope to victims and 
survivors by connecting them to the support and services they need.
  They must know that they are not alone. That is the most important 
message that we want to give on the floor of the House today. The 
victims of sex trafficking and human trafficking, the children and the 
adult victims, are not alone.
  Victims in crisis can receive assistance with safety planning, 
emotional support, and/or immediate connections

[[Page H7923]]

to emergency services, while survivors can get help in rebuilding their 
lives. Mr. Speaker, that is an important aspect of this legislation we 
are putting forward today.
  The hotline also plays a vital role in combating human trafficking by 
helping law enforcement identify and rescue victims by receiving tips 
about a potential situation of human trafficking and by providing 
reports of tips to the appropriate authorities.
  We must make every effort to identify victims and ensure victims and 
survivors of human trafficking are connected to services that can lead 
them to safety and help them begin to restore their lives. That begins 
with reaching them where they are and letting them know who they can 
call on for help without risking their safety.
  Traffickers rely on our Nation's transportation infrastructure to 
transport their victims from city to city and State to State. In the 
brief moments victims are allowed by their traffickers to have a moment 
alone in the restroom of a bus station or airport, they may be able to 
call or even text for help. Victims, survivors, and concerned citizens 
need to know that help is just a phone call away because one call can 
mean the difference between life and death.
  Despite the clandestine nature of human trafficking, we have learned 
from survivors that opportunities do exist to reach victims, and we 
should make the most of them. H.R. 7181, the Human Trafficking 
Prevention Act of 2022, does exactly that.
  I am very grateful to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries), the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Bass), the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Issa), and the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Ms. Mace) for 
introducing this strategic and practical measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is a terrible and tragic evil. We 
should do all we can in Congress to fight trafficking and help victims.
  This legislation would change the law to direct the Secretary of 
Transportation to post the contact information of the National Human 
Trafficking Hotline in locations where victims may be able to see them 
and seek help.
  Because this horrific crime often involves border crossings, 
Republicans added an amendment in committee directing the Secretary of 
Homeland Security to post the contact information of the National Human 
Trafficking Hotline at ports of entry.
  It is well documented that human traffickers often use the 
transportation industry for both recruiting and operations. In 2020, 
the latest year for which data is available, 10,583 incidents of human 
trafficking were reported to the U.S. National Human Trafficking 
Hotline, and 16,658 victims of trafficking were identified.
  We hope this legislation will help to raise awareness about human 
trafficking and assist victims in seeking help by posting hotline 
information in places where they may see it.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, before I yield to the gentleman for his 
closing, I include in the Record the ``Katy Sex-Trafficking Survivor 
Teams with White House to Fight Growing Threat''; ``4-Year-Old Among 31 
Human Trafficking Victims Rescued in Kansas, Missouri''; ``Texas 
authorities rescue 70 missing children victimized by sex trafficking''; 
from the Houston Chronicle, November 23, 2020, ``Report: Human 
Trafficking Spikes in Texas Amid Pandemic''; and two additional 
articles relating to human trafficking.

                [From Katy Magazine News, Dec. 10, 2019]

 Katy Sex-Trafficking Survivor Teams With White House To Fight Growing 
                                 Threat

                        (By Natalie Cook Clark)

       21-year-old Courtney Litvak of Katy hopes her experience as 
     a sex-trafficking victim can help other young people. As the 
     Childproof America Ambassador, she has taken her fight 
     against human trafficking to the White House.
       After a year of ``grooming'' from various people, Courtney 
     Litvak, a Cinco Ranch High School student, left her Katy 
     home. At 18-years-old, she started a life in human 
     trafficking that lasted two years. Now, saved and back home, 
     Courtney works to raise awareness and end this epidemic 
     affecting students around the country, and right here in 
     Katy.


              Cinco Ranch Student Survived Sex-Trafficking

       Courtney Litvak, now 21, grew up in Katy in a loving home. 
     She went to church every Sunday and competed on a local swim 
     team. But at 18, she willingly left her home to enter a life 
     in human-trafficking.
       ``I was groomed by multiple people over the period of a 
     year,'' says Courtney. ``This is such a subtle process that 
     it's easy not to notice.'' She pointed out that social media 
     is often a major form of communication and makes such crimes 
     difficult to track.


                        Victims Lose All Control

       ``They (victims) don't understand what will be their 
     reality when they lose control,'' explains Courtney. She felt 
     she was targeted when she was vulnerable after experiencing a 
     traumatic event.
       ``I was assaulted and I became a changed person,'' says 
     Courtney. ``You should not go through a loss and then become 
     a target.''


       Childproof America Supports Families, Educates Communities

       In 2017, Courtney's mother, Kelly Litvak founded Childproof 
     America, a non-profit organization aimed at educating 
     families and communities about the warning signs that can 
     ultimately save children from becoming victims of this 
     growing trend in our country.
       ``It's key for people to understand this issue,'' says 
     Kelly. ``Every household in Katy needs to be informed about 
     human trafficking. Denial is a coping mechanism and it's 
     difficult for parents to comprehend. Child and sex should 
     never go into the same sentence. It's because of this mindset 
     that this is a threat to Katy. These people are counting on 
     families to be naive and it makes us sitting ducks.''


                         Informal Interventions

       In addition to her duties as spokesperson, Courtney meets 
     informally with teens and young adults going through the 
     grooming process or trafficking.
       ``A parent will reach out to Childproof America and we talk 
     for about an hour on what they have found and are going 
     through,'' explains Kelly. ``Then Courtney is filled in and 
     if the youth is willing, she will sit down with them and can 
     help in key activities.''
       These meetings are very effective. Since becoming the 
     Childproof America spokesperson this past August Courtney has 
     spoken to about 10 students, 3 of whom were boys. Currently, 
     Courtney and Kelly say that these sessions are seen as being 
     100 percent successful in getting these young people out of a 
     harmful and dangerous situation. However, they stress that 
     these cases will be followed up on.
       ``You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped,'' 
     says Courtney.


        Katy-Based Childproof America Averages 2-3 Calls a Week

       Since Childproof America is Katy-based and many in Katy 
     know the Litvak's story about 80 percent of their calls come 
     from Katy residents. They average 2-3 calls a week but it 
     comes in waves. Recently Childproof America worked with the 
     Children's Assessment Center to host a Childproof America 
     emergency safety seminar when calls reached a sudden 
     increase.
       ``We started receiving so many calls that we felt something 
     was going on,'' says Kelly.


                    This is Not the Student's Fault

       ``I wish someone would have looked at me and said I get 
     it,'' says Courtney. ``I wanted to be validated and heard, 
     just listened to. We need to do better at recognizing these 
     groups and knowing this doesn't happen over night and this is 
     not the person's fault.''
       When Courtney was trafficked, the city of Katy and Houston 
     community accepted that she chose this.``That is not true,'' 
     says Courtney.


                          Master Manipulators

       Courtney describes the people involved with human 
     trafficking as master manipulators.
       ``Everything is in their control,'' explains Courtney. 
     ``All of your decisions are theirs. You're a commodity, a 
     property.''
       According to the University of Texas, more than 79,000 
     children are being trafficked for sex in Texas alone.
       ``I've never seen so much coverage especially on social 
     media,'' says Courtney. ``It's really a combination of more 
     awareness being brought to it and such organizations are 
     growing. It (human trafficking) is continuing to get more 
     sophisticated and growing.''


                     Interest from the White House

       A major initiative launched by Childproof America is the 
     education and outreach initiatives, specifically Family 
     Guides, which is exclusive to their group. Family Guides is 
     inspired by parents of victims and is designed to meet the 
     need of families in crisis. During a time of stress and fear, 
     families need a trained advocate who knows how to navigate 
     the issue quickly to help. Families with minor children and 
     18+ are matched with a compassionate advocate who can assist 
     with critical questions in a quick and effective fashion. 
     It's this program that has really piqued the interest of 
     officials in our nation's capital.

[[Page H7924]]

  



                            Success in D.C.

       Just before Thanksgiving, Courtney and her mother were 
     invited to meet with lvanka Trump, advisor to the President. 
     In that meeting, they discussed how the current 
     administration could help fight against human trafficking.
       ``Ivanka was amazing and a champion for this cause,'' says 
     Kelly. ``We were prepared to present our mission in a short 
     time.''
       The Litvaks say that lvanka was interested and has followed 
     up since their initial meeting.
       ``We're going back to D.C. in January,'' says Kelly. ``We 
     developed a true trust and lvanka's administration has asked 
     up for our opinions on top leaders on this topic.''


                  Putting Everything into Perspective

       ``What we're doing really didn't sink in until I was there 
     (meeting Ivanka),'' says Courtney. ``It was really emotional, 
     which is hard for me to be vulnerable. Our trip to D.C. put 
     everything into perspective. I'm repurposing the pain and 
     it's the beginning of something great.''
       ``There are so many areas where people are suffering,'' 
     says Courtney. ``No matter where the suffering is, I hope to 
     help and use my platform to establish relationships with 
     leaders to get the ball rolling.''


                        Passion for other Areas

       Courtney is passionate with other areas of service that she 
     hopes one day to be able to work with her connections to make 
     a difference.
       ``I'd love to help the homeless,'' says Courtney. ``Growing 
     up in Katy I could never wrap my head around it. I've seen 
     the gap and want to help.''


          Local Schools Need to Open Doors to Expert Training

       Childproof America is working with local schools and groups 
     to help spread their education initiative and educate people 
     on this difficult subject.
       ``We have been talking to Fort Bend ISD and now they are 
     organizing a massive training for everyone from students, 
     parents, and teachers,'' says Kelly. ``Every school district 
     needs to swing open their doors to experts to train people on 
     this subject. Schools need to get over the mindset that if 
     they have training, people will think that they are having a 
     problem. We need to empower the community.''


                         Faith Brought Her Back

       Courtney credits her faith in God for giving her the 
     strength to stop putting harmful substances in her body and 
     to breakthrough the brain washing to get help and leave that 
     lifestyle.
       ``I'm not the first person this has happened to and I won't 
     be the last,'' says Courtney. ``I always want to continue to 
     be very raw and very genuine on this subject. I'm not putting 
     a time stamp on my service. I will always put my full heart 
     into it but what that will look like I don't know.''


         Human Trafficking is in Katy and Doesn't Discriminate

       It is important to note that human trafficking doesn't 
     discriminate. It can happen to anyone, and according to 
     Childproof America, this activity is happening in Katy and 
     Katy schools, like it's happening all over.
       ``I always want to acknowledge that everyone who's been 
     through this does not need to talk or help others,'' says 
     Courtney. ``It is extremely difficult and it's a lifelong 
     recovery.''
                                  ____


                     [From Newsweek, July 1, 2021]

   4-Vear-Old Among 31 Human Trafficking Victims Rescued in Kansas, 
                                Missouri

                          (By Matthew Impelli)

       A 4-year-old child was among a group of 31 human 
     trafficking victims recently rescued by authorities in Kansas 
     and Missouri.
       The victims rescued were sexually exploited, according to 
     the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The 4-year-old was 
     the youngest victim rescued in the group of 31 human 
     trafficking victims, which included 14 missing children and 
     17 adults.
       The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement 
     that, ``The operation took place June 17-26, 2021 in Wichita, 
     Kansas, Independence, Missouri and Kansas City, Missouri.''
       ``The results of the operation were announced by Homeland 
     Security Investigations Deputy Special Agent in Charge, 
     Kansas City, James Wright,'' the statement read. ``He was 
     joined by Heartland Anti-Trafficking Rescue Taskforce 
     partners from across the region in making the announcement.''
       Along with rescuing the 31 human trafficking victims, the 
     operation also resulted in the arrest of 82 individuals. The 
     individuals ``will be charged with crimes related to 
     soliciting prostitution, commercial sex trafficking, sodomy, 
     narcotics violations, felony assault on a police officer, sex 
     offender registry violations and outstanding warrants,'' 
     according to the Homeland Security statement.
       Homeland Security investigators received assistance during 
     the operation from the Wichita Police Department; the Kansas 
     Bureau of Investigation; Kansas Highway Patrol; the 
     Department of Health and Human Services; the United States 
     Marshal's Service; the Platte County Sheriff's Office; the 
     Independence Police Department; the Jackson County Sheriffs 
     Department; Missouri State Highway Patrol; the Bourbon County 
     Sheriff's Office and the Hutchinson Police Department.
       The Department of Homeland Security did not identify any of 
     the victims rescued or those arrested and noted that ``the 
     defendants in this case are presumed innocent and entitled to 
     a fair trial where the government has the burden of proving 
     guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.''
       Homeland Security investigators completed a similar 
     operation on Thursday in Fresno County, California. Operation 
     Stolen Hearts focused on arresting human traffickers and 
     child predators seeking to pay for sex with minors. The 
     operation ended on June 23 and resulted in the rescue of 10 
     women and girls ``from the sex trade,'' as well as the arrest 
     of 21 individuals, according to Homeland Security.
       The arrested individuals were charged with ``contacting a 
     minor with intent to commit a sexual offense, aiding 
     prostitution, arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd 
     purposes and solicitation of acts of prostitution.''
       Newsweek reached out to the Department of Homeland Security 
     for further comment but did not receive a response in time 
     for publication.
                                  ____


                     [From Fox News, June 1, 2022]

    Texas Authorities Rescue 70 Missing Children Victimized by Sex 
                              Trafficking


               The children ranged in ages from 10 to 17

                        (By Andrew Mark Miller)

       Law enforcement officials have successfully recovered 
     dozens of missing children as part of a joint task force 
     operation in West Texas. The three-week operation, known as 
     ``Operation Lost Souls,'' started in late April in the Texas 
     counties of El Paso, Midland, Ector and Tom Green and 
     recovered 70 children ranging in age from 10 to 17 who were 
     victims of sex trafficking, physical and sexual abuse, 
     according to a press release from the Department of Homeland 
     Security.
       ``Operation Lost Souls exemplifies Homeland Security 
     Investigations' commitment to protecting the public from 
     crimes of victimization. In this case, we are looking out for 
     our children--our community's most precious resource,'' said 
     HSI El Paso Deputy Special Agent in Charge Taekuk Cho.
       ``HSI is committed to continue working with our law 
     enforcement partners to locate, recover and help missing 
     children heal, while ensuring that perpetrators are held 
     responsible for these heinous crimes and brought to 
     justice.''
       The operation was conducted by several law enforcement 
     agencies, including the Texas Highway Patrol, El Paso Police 
     Department, U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI.
       ``At the Department of Public Safety, teamwork is one of 
     our core values,'' said DPS Major Matthew Mull. ``We are 
     grateful for all of our law enforcement partners who 
     participated in this operation and who work around the clock 
     every day to protect our communities, including our youth.''
       HSI added that several agencies have provided counseling to 
     the children.
       Authorities say that the children who were located outside 
     of West Texas were found in Dallas, Texas; Colorado; and 
     Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
       Federal law enforcement teams have successfully rescued 
     missing children in operations across the country over the 
     last few years, including in January 2021, when the FBI 
     announced it located 33 children in the Los Angeles area.
       U.S. marshals in Ohio rescued 45 missing children and 109 
     additional human trafficking survivors during ``Operation 
     Autumn Hope'' in October 2020.
                                  ____


              [From the Houston Chronicle, Nov. 23, 2020]

        Report: Human Trafficking Spikes in Texas Amid Pandemic

                  (By Olivia P. Tallet, Staff writer)

       Texas, already the home to the second highest number of sex 
     trafficking cases, is seeing a steep increase in crisis calls 
     related to the illegal activity because of the coronavirus 
     pandemic. What's more, trafficking activities are exploding 
     online, as criminals adapt to the changing environment, 
     experts said.
       The Lone Star State is only second to California with 2,455 
     victims and survivors identified in Texas from over 2,000 
     calls to the hotline, which now includes texts and other 
     means for victims to communicate, according to a report 
     released last week by the Polaris Project. The calls led to 
     the identification of 515 traffickers and 240 businesses 
     involved in this illegal trade.
       An analysis by Polaris comparing the hotline activity in 
     three periods this year to 2019 indicates that crisis has 
     worsened by about 40 percent, and that the pandemic has 
     impacted the victims' vulnerabilities, as well as the manner 
     of sex trafficking operations nationwide.
       The number of cases identified through the hotline is only 
     a fraction of the prevalence of human trafficking, which is 
     defined as an individual being deceived or coerced into 
     prostitution, forced labor, or domestic servitude.
       ``Calls have more to do with people on the ground knowing 
     about the hotline as a resource,'' said Ayan Ahmed, a Polaris 
     spokesperson. ``It's more about awareness.''
       Because Houston is considered a hub for human trafficking, 
     the issue has gained significant awareness in the city, said 
     Ann

[[Page H7925]]

     Johnson, former human trafficking prosecutor in Harris 
     County. She said hotlines might get more calls here ``because 
     our general population is more on alert.''
       Elaine Andino, a director with the nonprofit United Against 
     Human Trafficking in Houston, said the prevalence of human 
     trafficking is hard to gauge because it's mostly a hidden 
     crime that flourishes in businesses posing as legal 
     enterprises or exploits victims who are too vulnerable to 
     report them.
       Andino said the most reliable study available in Texas 
     about this illegal trade was published by the University of 
     Texas at Austin in 2016, which estimated that there are 
     310,000 victims of human trafficking at any given moment in 
     the state. Most are victims of labor trafficking, 234,500, 
     while 79,000 are minors and youth in sex trafficking.
       Victims have been driven further underground and have 
     become more vulnerable as the pandemic forced the closure of 
     businesses, saw many employees let go, and prompted an 
     economic crisis, Andino said.
       Many agencies providing services to victims were also 
     impacted and unable to receive new clients, according to the 
     Polaris report, titled ``Crisis in Human Trafficking During 
     the Pandemic.''
       ``There are roughly about 500 beds in the entire country 
     for trafficking victims,'' Andino said. ``A lot of these 
     shelters are restricting how many people come into the 
     shelters to prevent COVID from spreading.''
       While the pandemic closed businesses in industries where 
     human trafficking thrives, such as hospitality, restaurants 
     and bars, the criminal enterprise adapted by moving heavily 
     online.
       ``A lot of victimization has just moved online,'' said 
     Andino. ``There are lots and lots of trafficking victims who 
     are forced to have sex on camera now; we saw a lot of that 
     really, really spike during COVID.'' Several reports point to 
     a significant increase in porn consumption during the 
     pandemic, with modalities such as cam sex and 3D services 
     gaining traction.
       With social distancing, many men have avoided paying for in 
     person sex, but those who continue tend to be the most 
     reckless and violent, ``so it became even more of a scary 
     situation for trafficking victims'' vulnerability to abuse, 
     Andino added.
       The pandemics effect has increased the very vulnerabilities 
     that put victims in the hands of traffickers in the first 
     place, said former prosecutor Johnson. For example, some 
     minors who are trying to escape abusive parenting get sucked 
     into trafficking. Also, immigrants are more likely to get 
     coerced by employers to work in dire conditions for little or 
     no pay.
       ``Every victim I've seen, whether it's age, race, 
     background, the common theme, is vulnerability,'' said 
     Johnson.
       Johnson insists that tackling human trafficking will 
     require increasing services to victims and prosecuting 
     exploiters, including sellers who profit from the business 
     and the consumer who pay for the abuse.
       ``You need to continue the awareness constantly,'' said 
     Johnson. ``This is not like turning off the water faucet at 
     once.''
                                  ____


                [From SpectrumNews1.com, Dec. 16, 2021]

  Tips From Community Led Ohio Officials To Rescue 5 Suspected Human 
                          Trafficking Victims

                           (By Lydia Taylor)

       Ohio.--Ohio officials said five suspected human trafficking 
     victims were rescued this month after tips from community 
     members led them to two southern Ohio massage parlors.
       The West Chester Police Department and the Chillicothe 
     Police Department contacted Ohio Bureau of Criminal 
     Investigation in June about tips received about an illegal 
     massage parlor. After investigating further, the BCI found 
     connections between two parlors: The Lucky Asian Bodywork, 
     1532 N. Bridge St., Chillicothe location and the Lucky Asian 
     Bodywork, 1532 N. Bridge St., Chillicothe location, according 
     to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's office.
       Officials executed search warrants on Dec. 7, finding five 
     victims who were offered medical attention and access to 
     other resources. Victim advocates were present during both 
     searches and talked with the women. Two women were found at 
     the Chillicothe location and the other three were at the West 
     Chester location.
       The BCI is still investigating.
       ``If you think human trafficking doesn't happen where you 
     live, you're wrong,'' Yost said. ``It happens everywhere 
     across our state and across every demographic. It happens 
     because of the demand, but won't happen in Ohio without 
     consequences--we're watching.''
       Ohio is among the worst states for human trafficking. 
     According to data from the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, 
     between 2014-2020, more than 1,300 victims were identified by 
     officials. In 2019, Ohio ranked No. 4 for the most human 
     trafficking victims nationwide.
       If you are in need of help or know of someone, you can dial 
     911, contact your local police department or call the 
     National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888.
                                  ____


                             [May 27, 2022]

  Two Separate Human Trafficking Rescues in Tuscaloosa Within One Week

                          (By Lauren Harksen)

       Tuscaloosa, AL (WBRC).--Two teenage girls are now home with 
     their families after calling 911 from a Tuscaloosa hotel 
     room. It's the second human trafficking rescue in the city 
     within a week.
       It's an issue becoming all-too common in the Tuscaloosa 
     area. Thankfully, the latest trafficking victims had a chance 
     to call for help, but it doesn't always end that way.
       ``It's extremely unusual for them to call 911 and say, `Hey 
     we need help.' '' said Tuscaloosa Police Captain Phil 
     Simpson.
       That call was from a 15-year-old and an 18-year-old 
     Wednesday night.
       ``There came a time where they did not want to go any 
     farther with what was going on.'' said Captain Simpson. 
     ``Their initial request was that we help them get home.''
       They wanted to return home to their families in a 
     neighboring state.
       Captain Simpson says the two were brought to Tuscaloosa as 
     sex trafficking victims. Unfortunately, just one week ago, a 
     similar investigation happened in the area.
       ``We've seen a lot of this activity increasing and we 
     believe it's leading up to the World Games in Birmingham,'' 
     said Captain Simpson.
       He is also Commander of the West Alabama Human Trafficking 
     Task Force and says when large-scale events like the World 
     Games are right around the corner, unlawful acts tend to 
     rise.
       ``The traffickers want that business, so they're going to 
     go where there's a lot of people,'' he added. ``They're going 
     to take their victims to make them money where there is a lot 
     of people.''
       In this day and age, Captain Simpson says most trafficking 
     victims are not abducted. Instead, they are coerced.
       ``What we see is minors who are vulnerable,'' he said. 
     ``They become enamored with somebody on the internet that 
     they think is innocent and then they meet that person and it 
     goes from there . . . until it's too far or too late for the 
     victims to back out.''
       Captain Simpson says the typical gateway for these 
     perpetrators is social media. He encourages parents to keep a 
     close eye on who your children are in contact with because 
     you never know who's on the other side of the screen.

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as we have heard, the idea of human 
trafficking is not going away. This legislation, I believe, will 
provide us with the important instruction to give to those victims 
where they may find some relief.
  Human trafficking is a multibillion-dollar criminal industry that 
denies freedom to nearly 25 million people around the world. It is an 
ever-present threat to the health and safety of victims, many of whom 
are children, but also poses grave danger to public health and safety 
and national security.
  Although the statistics we recite daily are breathtaking, they 
represent a mere fraction of the instances of trafficking that occur, 
as human trafficking is a highly underreported crime.
  H.R. 7181, the Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 2022, would help 
identify, protect, and provide essential services to victims of human 
trafficking, who are often unseen, by requiring the posting of the 
contact information for the National Human Trafficking Hotline so that 
victims and anyone who sees someone who appears to be a victim know who 
to call or text for help.
  This is commonsense, bipartisan legislation that I urge all of my 
colleagues to support, and I am seeking the support of my colleagues.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7181, the ``Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 
2022,'' would provide for the posting of the contact information of the 
National Human Trafficking Hotline in the restrooms of our country's 
transportation centers--where we know many trafficking victims pass 
through--as well as all federal buildings and ports of entry--to inform 
victims and those who witness suspected trafficking situations that 
help is available.
  As I have said many times before, smuggling people across 
international borders is an equally troubling crime, but distinct from 
human trafficking. Smugglers must be prosecuted, and the exploitation 
of their victims must not go unpunished.
  And while many believe human trafficking happens only in other 
countries, the victimization of adults, youth, and children for the 
purposes of performing labor, commercial sex acts and other services 
happens on an enormous scale in rural, urban, and suburban communities 
across the United States.
  H.R. 7181 would: require posting of the National Human Trafficking 
Hotline's contact information in all federal buildings; require the 
Department of Transportation and the Department of Health and Human 
Services to coordinate with owners and operators of transportation 
hubs, such as airports, bus stations, and train stations to post the 
contact information

[[Page H7926]]

for the hotline in their restrooms; and require the Department of 
Homeland Security--in consultation with the Department of Health and 
Human Services and other appropriate federal agencies--to post the 
hotline's contact information at every port of entry.
  In 2020, more than 11,193 instances of potential human trafficking 
were reported to the United States National Human Trafficking Hotline.
  And in Texas, there are reportedly 313,000 victims of human 
trafficking at any given time, including 79,000 children and youth who 
are victims of sex trafficking and 234,000 adults who are victims of 
labor trafficking.
  Victims of human trafficking tend to be concealed, living in fear, 
and isolated--in some cases physically and in other cases emotionally.
  They might remain under the control of their traffickers for a 
variety of reasons, including a lack of the basic necessities to 
escape--like transportation or a safe place to go.
  Some may be afraid for their safety. While others may not recognize 
that they are under the control of their trafficker.
  And even after they are rescued or escape, there is always the 
possibility that victims will be revictimized.
  The National Human Trafficking Hotline is an essential component of 
the fight to end human trafficking. Offering toll-free phone lines and 
SMS text lines, that are available 24 hours a day, every day of the 
year, the hotline provides help, safety, and hope to victims and 
survivors by connecting them to the support and services they need.
  Victims in crisis can receive assistance with safety planning, 
emotional support, and immediate connections to emergency services 
while survivors can get help with rebuilding their lives.
  The hotline also plays a vital role in combatting human trafficking 
by helping law enforcement identify and rescue victims; by receiving 
tips about potential situations of human trafficking; and by providing 
reports of tips to the appropriate authorities.
  We must make every effort to identify victims and ensure victims and 
survivors of human trafficking are connected to services that can lead 
them to safety and help them begin to restore their lives.
  That begins with reaching them where they are and letting them know 
who they can call for help without risking their safety.
  Traffickers rely on our nation's transportation infrastructure to 
transport their victims from city to city and state to state. In the 
brief moments that allow victims to have a moment alone in the restroom 
of a bus station or airport, they may be able to call--or even text--
for help.
  Victims, survivors, and concerned citizens need to know that help is 
just a phone call away because one call could mean the difference 
between life and death.
  Despite the clandestine nature of human trafficking, we have learned 
from survivors that opportunities do exist to reach victims, and we 
should make the most of them. H.R. 7181, the Human Trafficking 
Prevention Act of 2022, does exactly that.
  I thank Representatives Jeffries, Bass, Issa, and Mace for 
introducing this strategic and practical measure.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan bill.
  Human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry that 
denies freedom to nearly 25 million people around the world. It as an 
ever-present threat to the health and safety of victims, many of whom 
are children, but also poses grave danger to public health and safety 
and national security.
  Although the statistics we recite daily are breathtaking, they 
represent a mere fraction of the instances of trafficking that occur, 
as human trafficking is a highly underreported crime.
  H.R. 7181, the ``Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 2022,'' would 
help identify, protect, and provide essential services to victims of 
human trafficking, who are often unseen, by requiring the posting of 
the contact information for the National Human Trafficking Hotline so 
that victims--and anyone who sees someone who appears to be a victim--
know who to call, or text, for help.
  This is commonsense, bipartisan legislation that I urge all of my 
colleagues to support. Thank you.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7181, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative), 
the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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