An obligation to aggressively fight human trafficking

Experts tell us there’s a prevailing truth about children who are ensnared in human trafficking: More than 60% have had some experience with the child welfare system.

That means children who are most vulnerable to the criminals who trade in this depraved business fall prey because they come from seriously troubled homes in the first place.

We were reminded of this pernicious cycle by the horrific story of the 29-yearold Dallas woman recently arrested on charges that she forced two of her own minor family members into sexual encounters with men at local hotels over several months.

Victoria Bautista faces charges of prostituting two girls — a preteen and a teenager — between March 12 and Oct. 15. The preteen told police the abuse started while they were staying at a Mesquite motel. She said they were forced to have sex with three men who drove up in a black Mercedes. Two of the same men showed up several other times, the girl said.

It’s hard to come up with harsh enough words to describe the poor excuse for a human being who would prostitute and enslave her own young relatives. It’s even harder to imagine the horrors these poor girls were subjected to and the devastating effects they’ll have on the rest of their lives.

It’s the worst of the worst kind of human trafficking.

These cases are why we’ve so strongly supported advocates and law enforcement officials who are fighting to put a dent in eliminating the billion-dollar trafficking businesses. And why it’s so important that strategies have shifted to going after those who profit from them and away from punishing the victims.

These young girls — and some boys — need services to help them escape this life and get started on productive ones.

Recent stories have driven home the point that this industry does not just involve the seedy underground of tough neighborhoods. It extends to tony suburbs and in some cases, operates within the victims’ own families.

We know that many of these exploited kids are among the thousands who have been in foster care in this state. It’s a big part of why Texas is second in the nation in human trafficking. This state has to do more to protect the children in its care.

It’s a good sign that we’re seeing more arrests of those who make money off these kids and tougher sentences after conviction. We also hope to soon see more arrests of the pedophiles who create the demand.

The Dallas Morning News