The plate, which reads “stop human trafficking” and includes a website to report suspicious activity, will be available for purchase on Feb. 20. According to a news release, proceeds will go to the HHSC’s Stop Human Trafficking donation program, which pays for treatment, shelter and other support for young survivors of human trafficking.
In June 2021, Abbott signed House Bill 2633, which helped provide resources for survivors of human trafficking in Texas, including the creation of the speciality license plate. A license plate design contest was launched in January 2022. According to the release, Mary B. Carr, a Houston-based professional counselor who works with human trafficking survivors, submitted the winning design.
“Too often, human trafficking is hidden in plain sight,” said Megan Bermea, director of the HHSC’s Office of Family Services, in the release. “We hope this new specialty license plate will bring the issue to light and gain the attention of more people who can help prevent the exploitation of vulnerable people.”
Texans can report potential human trafficking and other suspicious activity to the Texas Department of Public Safety at https://iwatchtexas.org.
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, according to the HHSC. For more resources about human trafficking and prevention, Texans can visit the Human Trafficking Resource Center.
