Austin District 8 City Council Member Ellen Troxclair speaks at a news conference to announce a city resolution about ending human trafficking in Austin.[/caption]

During its Oct. 15 meeting, Austin City Council unanimously approved a resolution spearheaded by District 8 Council Member Ellen Troxclair that seeks to end human trafficking in Austin.

The resolution directs the city manager to designate a liaison to local organizations that work to prevent the crime, incorporate education about identifying and preventing human trafficking in Austin for city employees, and formulate a plan and set of policies to reduce human trafficking in Austin, according to the city of Austin.

The resolution would formalize partnerships between the city and community organizations working to prevent human trafficking, Troxclair said at a news conference before the Oct. 15 council meeting.

Troxclair said it is easy for people to believe that human trafficking does not affect them personally nor does it happen anywhere close to them.

"But the reality is, one in every 11 cases of human trafficking—almost 10 percent—originated in Texas in 2014, according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center," Troxclair said. "And according to the U.S. National Association of Counties, cases of human trafficking are on the rise right here in Travis County."

Troxclair worked with Allies Against Slavery, an Austin-based nonprofit organization that fights human trafficking, to formulate the resolution, she said. The organization came to her office to find ways to improve awareness, collaboration and response, she said.

John Nehme, president and CEO of Allies Against Slavery, said when people can publicly speak the truth about human trafficking, the opportunity to shine a light on the issue begins.

"This resolution also sends a message to traffickers," Nehme said. "That message is, "You have no business in our city.'"