MIDLAND, Texas — Human trafficking isn't something that gets talked about as much as it should, and U.S. Senator John Cornyn is working to change that. He visited Midland to tour Reflection Ministries and to talk about his efforts to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
Reauthorizing the Trafficking Victims Protection Act would do a few things. It extends funding to prevent human trafficking, improves training for government staff, expands civil and privacy protections for trafficking survivors and renews trafficking prevention and survivor support programs.
Cornyn also got the opportunity to learn more about how Reflection Ministries helps trafficking victims in our area by partnering with local law enforcement and by acting as an emergency assessment and support center.
Cornyn said that this isn't just a local problem, it's a global issue.
"We need to raise people's level of discomfort to deal with the reality of human trafficking," Cornyn said. "There's a role for each of us to play, and as you've heard today, everything from the Department of Public Safety that's making traffic stops, to the crisis center that deals with domestic violence."
It's a problem that's here in the Permian Basin as well.
"This is pervasive, and even the best of communities, like those here in the Permian Basin, Midland, Odessa," Cornyn said. "Unfortunately, many times it’s associated with large sporting events and other events where people get together."
The senator for Texas toured Reflection Ministries and came away impressed with their work with victims of human trafficking.
"The good news is, the thing that is positive and optimistic and hopeful that comes out of this is organizations like this one, people like those standing behind me, people with big hearts and who are generously spending their time trying to help these victims of human trafficking," Cornyn said.