Tennessee Bureau of Investigation unveils ‘It Has To Stop’ Public Service Announcements

TBI Participates in National Human Trafficking Event

Nashville, TN – Today, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released a set of videos designed to raise awareness of human trafficking in Tennessee, just as one of its Special Agents participated in a national event on the issue.

TBI’s Public Service Announcement campaign, called “IT Has To Stop”, invites viewers to visit ITHasToStop.com to learn more about human trafficking, its impact on Tennessee, and ways to join the fight against it.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WdeAFUm0Uk[/youtube]In Washington, D.C. today, TBI Assistant Special Agent-In-Charge Margie Quin spoke on the issue of human trafficking at an event organized by the nonprofit group Shared Hope International.

ASAC Quin spoke about Tennessee’s strict laws, which severely punish traffickers and decriminalize prostitution for minors.

In 2013, the laws passed in Tennessee contributed to the group ranking the state as the best in the nation in its approach to curbing trafficking. This year, Tennessee ranked 2nd behind Louisiana.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JX8updAbAY[/youtube]

“Last year, the Tennessee General Assembly helped the state achieve the distinction of being the best state in the nation in this important fight and we want to be there again,” said TBI Director Mark Gwyn. “It’s not about being ‘Number 1.’ It’s about doing everything possible to save the lives of children bought and sold for someone else’s pleasure.”

To that end, TBI supports common sense legislation to require comprehensive training for select state agencies, law enforcement officers, and those likely to encounter victims of human trafficking.

“If our state is really serious about combating this problem, we need to invest in equipping key Tennesseans to recognize the signs of Human Trafficking victims,” said Gwyn. “It’ll take resources to address this crime and its corresponding unique victims in the ways it demands, but the lives of children are at risk and we must fight for them.”

Video – Understanding Human Trafficking

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__Wg0sWgjZY[/youtube]