Free Austin on KVUE.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 Contact:

Sierra McMillan, info@freeaustin.org

Allies Against Slavery/Free Austin

c: 615-499-8922

First Annual City-Wide Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative Kicks Off

Local organizations join forces to raise awareness of Human trafficking

AUSTIN, Texas—September 1, 2011—The First Annual Free Austin initiative will be observed September 11-25 to raise community awareness of the growing crisis of Human Trafficking in Central Texas. The Central Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking and ALLIES Against Slavery in partnership with other anti-trafficking organizations have coordinated at least 12 events across the city as part of this initiative.

Since 2007, Human Trafficking Reporting Systems (HTRS) data indicates that 480 human trafficking victims have been reported in Texas. Of those reported Texas victims, HTRS indicates that 189 were not United States citizens, while 220 victims were Americans who were trafficked domestically. The remaining 71 victims’ country of origin is unknown. In response, Austin is one of four cities in Texas with a federally-funded Human Trafficking task force.

In her resolution of the Free Austin Initiative, Representative Dawnna Dukes acknowledges the need for awareness in Austin, citing “Encompassing a wide variety of activities, Free Austin is maximizing opportunities for citizens to increase their knowledge of the scope of human trafficking and learn what they can do to help eradicate this scourge.”

“Human slavery is a robust, multi-billion dollar industry — only drugs and weapon dealing are more profitable,” said Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz, associate professor of social work and director of the University of Texas at Austin Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (IDVSA).

“Victims of trafficking have survived a horrifying combination of physical and emotional abuse, trauma and financial distress,” she said. “While much progress has been made in the fight against this hidden crime, there is room for improvement on many levels, including improving victim services and protections.”

Representative Dukes and Dr. Busch-Armendariz will speak at the Free Austin kick-off event at the state capitol on September 13 at 9:30am. Visit www.FreeAustin.org for a complete list of events going on throughout the city.

 ABOUT

Free Austin is a community initiative coordinated by ALLIES Against Slavery. In strategic partnership with other local organizations and activists, we are working at one goal – to end human trafficking. The first annual Free Austin event is a month-long campaign against human trafficking and will be held during September. Numerous events have been coordinated throughout Austin to raise awareness about human trafficking and educate the community on how to get involved. From movie screenings and panel discussions, to a family-friendly walk and live concert, Free Austin gives everyone an opportunity to deepen their knowledge about this global epidemic. http://www.freeaustin.org/

ALLIES Against Slavery is an organization of volunteers united to activate and sustain community involvement in the anti-trafficking movement in Central Texas. Through education, awareness and fundraising, ALLIES’ members literally serve as allies to other anti-trafficking programs, local social service professionals, law enforcement and survivors.  ALLIES members volunteer their skills, time and creativity to establish a slave-free community and world. http://AlliesAgainstSlavery.com

Central Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking works collaboratively to increase public awareness and identification of human trafficking cases, and to provide identified victims of human trafficking with comprehensive social and medical services. The Central Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking was formed in 2003, after Austin law enforcement worked their first human trafficking case and found a lack in collaboration between law enforcement and social service organizations. http://www.ctcaht.org

More information about the issue going on in the state can be found in the Texas Human trafficking Prevention Task Force Report.

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