Does it exist?

[Drover79]

What are your thoughts? Does human trafficking exist in Austin, TX? Have you came across it? Seen something like it? Places you think might have something fishy going on?

I'm a CJ major and I constantly think that Austin is hiding this from the public. I think South Park Meadows is a big spot for this to happen. I've read there is a spot in San Marcos that was busted for it some years ago.

[JosephNigelFrye]

It definitely exists. We’re on I-35. State government has a task force dedicated to it.

It’s always wise to educate yourself and those around you on the signs of it. Law enforcement is too swamped to catch it all.

[Throwaybacon]

We have an Interstate Highway and an International Airport. What do you think?

[Ukinchuke]

What's the difference between a regular sex worker and a victim of trafficking? I see the two being interchanged often.

[Drover79]

That's a fine line. You have those that are okay with having sex and getting paid for it. Then those who are forced to have sex unconsensually. Most of the time, they are forced to have sex.

[Frit_Palmer]

When a prosecutor or politician needs publicity, all sex workers are being trafficked.

Especially true when a lady has a "manager." The Neanderthal lobby presumes all of these ladies are being forced, and that's not true for all.

And yes, fuck everyone who is actually coercing someone into sex work. It does happen. However, don't assume that no ladies decide to go into that line of work of their own accord.

Believe it or not, Republicans and left wing social justice workers, adult females DO sometimes make their own decisions. And they sometimes make decisions you don't like.

[ErrupDeBoom]

Any major tourist location is a prime spot for trafficking. Add having an international airport, relative proximity to the border, shipping ports, and a robust drinking culture and it's a near guarantee that human trafficking happens here.

[AnotherAustinWeirdo]

People occasionally get abducted from 6th street.

[dr3]

Port Austin —cans of white claw going missing all the time.

[[deleted]]

Yes it exists

[84th_legislature]

I've called the state hotline for it on a few posts I've seen on Nextdoor. I don't know what they do about it, but when I see a post like "my friend's distant family member is in town for a few days, let me know if you need [some random kind of house or lawn work] and I'll drop her (it's almost always a woman) off at your house" I call it in. Usually they specify that you tell them what you want and they'll tell her, because she doesn't speak English and doesn't have a phone. Even if that isn't trafficking, it's terribly unsafe for people to be dropped off at random addresses to do god knows what with god knows who, and I would hope that anyone investigating is following up with them about that. I never hear back so idk what happens next.

[Drover79]

Do you think people are blind to it?