Human Trafficking Task Force discusses Labor Trafficking, highlighting need for awareness

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Dozens of law enforcement agencies and victim service advocates from across the Brazos Valley gathered for a Human Trafficking Task Force meeting.

These are held every quarter, where the groups from nine counties receive updates on the impact they’ve made in cases. Typically, conversations surround sex trafficking or children caught in human trafficking. But, Wednesday the group heard about Labor Trafficking.

“It can be happening right in front of us,” Brazos County Sheriff Wayne Dicky, said. “It’s not as obvious as other forms of crime and so you may have someone that waits on your table or provides some other service. What you don’t understand is that the person is performing those services under coercion of some sort.”

The Brazos Valley Human Trafficking Task Force was created after a grant was awarded to BCSO and Unbound Now BCS. The groups have worked to spread awareness about what exists in the area and how people become victims of trafficking. Task Force Coordinator Kellye Arnold, told the group Wednesday that cases here do exist. She shared that advocates have helped one victim of labor trafficking and other investigations are ongoing.

“We do have a lot of agricultural industries in Brazos County and surrounding counties, and we’ll be looking at restaurants and everything as well. Those are gonna be kind of the focus is places where the bottom line and profits are determined by labor rates,” she said.

Arnold highlighted the vulnerabilities of labor trafficking victims as being uneducated, having a criminal history, not having the correct documentation to work or anyone struggling to hold a job. She says these groups can also be difficult to connect with, due to fears of deportation, probation violations, or lies told by an employer.

“We will help you, especially in these situations instead of, if you come forward you’re going to immediately be arrested or deported. I know that requires a lot of trust in those communities and that’s gonna have to be trusted is built,” she said.

The group also heard about jobs that can position people to identify victims of labor trafficking including those who go behind the scenes at businesses or homes. The task force will be working to create subcommittees to help connect advocates and law enforcement officers with victims.

Reports can be made to the following:

National Human Trafficking Hotline, (888) 373-7888 or text 233733 (BEFREE)

Unbound Now BCS 24/7 Crisis Referral Line, (979) 985-2430

Brazos County Crime Stoppers, (979) 775-8477 (TIPS)

Videos explaining Labor Trafficking and how to know if you are a victim can be found here in English or here in Spanish.