Jefferson City — State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, will host Sex Trafficking Awareness Day at the Capitol tomorrow, Jan. 25. Last year, CBS St. Louis reported that Missouri — particularly St. Louis and Kansas City — was a “hotspot for human trafficking.” According to The National Human Trafficking Hotline, more than 5,700 human trafficking cases were reported and more than 20,000 human trafficking calls were made in 2016 —reportedly making Missouri one of the top human-trafficking states.
“Human trafficking is a form of slavery. It’s cruel and it affects thousands here and millions globally,” Sen. Nasheed said. “We will not contribute to more enslavement of thousands by sitting idly and turning blind eyes. We just will not.”
On Wednesday morning, awareness advocates and other participants will convene on the third floor of the Capitol Rotunda for the informational assembly, in which organizations will have information and displays for viewing and discussion. Following the informational assembly will be “Advocacy for Awareness” and a press conference. “Advocacy for Awareness” will involve individuals going office to office to promote legislation that Sen. Nasheed has filed about sex trafficking and safe-harbor funding. “Advocacy for Awareness” will begin at 9 a.m. and the press conference will begin at 12: 30 p.m.
“This past weekend, we witnessed a far-reaching movement — nationwide protests — about women’s rights. Most victims of sex trafficking are women and children. We will continue our fight to protect the rights of women, and others, with our duty to save the victims of sex trafficking,” Senator Nasheed proclaimed.