U.S. Representative Rodney Davis is back in the region tonight to address an “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” problem to which he hopes to bring attention: human trafficking in Illinois 13th Congressional District.
“Super Bowl Sunday, which happened yesterday, is the single largest event for human trafficking around the globe,” Davis told “St. Louis on the Air” host Don Marsh. “We need to make sure folks are aware that this is a form of modern-day slavery and it does even happen in the Metro East and St. Louis region.”
The event will be held tonight from 6-7 p.m. at Edwardsville High School and will include discussion from law enforcement as well as from someone who helps victims of human trafficking.
Last year, Davis supported legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin, that has been passed into law to combat human trafficking.
“It is not a victimless crime and we need to hold them accountable,” said Davis of taking on web developers who support human trafficking next.
The horrors of human trafficking hit home for Davis when he met Aubrey Lloyd, a former human trafficking victim, who ran away from home to a friend’s house where her friend’s parents forced her into prostitution. When Davis met her, he noticed a particular tattoo on the back of her ear, a hand-done tattoo that her trafficker used to identify her “like livestock,” Davis said.
“I will never again see a tattoo like that and not ask the person if they need help because of Aubrey Lloyd,” Davis said.
Listen to the rest of Marsh’s broad-ranging discussion with Davis, which covered the areas of federal deficit, budget, and debt as well as the water crisis in Flint, FAA reauthorization, presidential candidates and bipartisanship:
Davis represents some communities in the Metro East including Edwardsville, Glen Carbon and part of Collinsville. His district covers parts of Bond, Champaign, Madison, McLean and Sangamon counties, and all of Christian, Calhoun, De Witt, Greene, Jersey, Macon, Macoupin, Montgomery and Piatt counties.
St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh and producers Mary Edwards, Alex Heuer and Kelly Moffitt give you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region.