Press Releases
Rep. Royce to Speak at Anti-Human Trafficking Beat H.E.A.T. Event
U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) released the following statement ahead of his participation in the 2nd Annual Keep Calm and Beat H.E.A.T. Rocking & Rally today: “Human trafficking is one of the world’s fastest-growing crimes, and sadly it’s happening right here on Orange County’s streets where young women and children are being bought and sold. I commend OC District Attorney Tony Rackauckas for continuing to raise awareness of both the criminals that commit this heinous crime as well as the innocent victims that need to be returned to their families. As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I’ll continue to ensure that federal law enforcement agencies are given the tools they need to work effectively with local authorities to keep our communities safe.” The event, which is cohosted by the Orange County District Attorney’s office and Chapman University, aims to increase community awareness of the $32 billion a year human exploitation and trafficking industry, the second-largest criminal enterprise in the nation behind narcotics trafficking. The all-day rally will be held at Chapman University today and features food, music, and other entertainment. The rally is open to the public and free to attend. As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Royce earlier this year applauded passage of eight bipartisan bills through the U.S. House of Representatives to combat international human trafficking, two of which were passed unanimously by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Rep. Royce also launched a Human Trafficking Congressional Advisory Committee (HTCAC) last year to address human trafficking concerns, as well as offer policy recommendations. The HTCAC is comprised of victims’ rights groups, local and federal law enforcement agencies, and community advocates, and is actively working to combat human trafficking in Southern California. Additionally, Rep. Royce held a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing titled “Local and Private Sector Initiatives to Combat International Human Trafficking” to examine international human trafficking and to assess efforts to combat trafficking at the international, national, state, and local levels. At that hearing, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe testified for lawmakers that girls as young as ten years old were being trafficked on the streets of Los Angeles County.
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