Rep. Hudson Hosts Summit on Human Trafficking
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2014
Rep. Hudson Hosts Summit on Human Trafficking
CONCORD, NC - Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) hosted a Summit on Human Trafficking at the Harris Alumni Center at UNC Charlotte. This summit focused on ways to reduce human trafficking in our local communities while providing necessary assistance to victims. The summit featured a panel of local activists, including a law enforcement officer, nonprofit groups, a UNC Charlotte professor and a survivor of human trafficking.
“Human trafficking and sex slavery are horrific tragedies that destroy lives and plague communities all over the world,” said Hudson. “The statistics are absolutely staggering and unacceptable, but what are even worse are the people who have suffered and who are suffering right now. Human trafficking is more painful and more devastating than what any statistic can describe.”
“We need to refocus our efforts and update our current laws to ensure that our communities, including local law enforcement officials and prosecutors, are given the appropriate tools and resources to protect the most vulnerable in our society, provide assistance to victims, and apprehend and punish traffickers. I am so grateful to all of our panelists for the hard work they do to raise awareness and provide support to the victims.”
Currently, Rep. Hudson is a cosponsor of two pieces of legislation to combat human trafficking:
H.R. 4225—The Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation (SAVE) Act—is a bill by Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-02) that will criminalize the advertisement of innocent victims being forced into sex slavery. To learn more about H.R. 4225, please click here.
H.R. 3530—The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2013—is a comprehensive anti-human trafficking bill by Rep. Ted Poe (TX-02) that aims to rescue domestic victims, track down their exploiters, and provide additional tools to prosecutors. To learn more about H.R. 3530, please click here.
Rep. Hudson and his wife Renee were joined by the following panelists:
· Jillian Mourning — Survivor of human trafficking from Lincoln County, NC and Founder of the All We Want Is LOVE.
· Dr. Shanti Kulkarni — Associate Professor of Social Work at UNC Charlotte
· Bo Quickel — Founder of Vigilante Trucker
· Todd Hodgin — Vice President, Lily Pad Haven
· Officer Deidra Helms—Granite Quarry Police Department
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