AUSTIN – Governor Abbott’s Child Sex Trafficking Team hosted a roundtable for male leaders in law enforcement, faith communities, business, and youth-serving organizations from across the state to share strategies on preventing child sex trafficking. Children At Risk educated attendees about online strategies to deter and interdict buyers of commercial sex. New Friends New Life presented on its manKINDness program, which teaches young men the importance of respecting girls and women, and empowers them to prevent predatory behavior. Leaders who attended the meeting committed to implementing these strategies in their communities across Texas.
“The leaders at our meeting today addressed the reality that the market for child sexual exploitation is largely driven by men. But, today’s meeting confirmed our conviction that Texas men can and must be a part of the solution in ending this heinous crime,” said Andrea Sparks, Director of the Governor’s Child Sex Trafficking Team. “These leaders are engaging their peers and educating and empowering young men to be part of the solution. Today’s meeting is the first step in inspiring men of character all over our state to do just that.”
New Friends New Life, Children At Risk, and Austin 20 — a philanthropic organization that supports anti-trafficking efforts in Austin, work closely with the Governor’s Child Sex Trafficking Team to promote strategies that combat child victimization.
