Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) highlighted recent progress made by federal law enforcement agencies on Monday in combating human trafficking and underground organizations that exploit children.
The FBI recently shut down an alleged online prostitution ring called MyRedBook.com and carried out Operation Cross Country, a week-long crackdown on commercial child sex trafficking in the United States.
“The FBI’s Operation Cross Country and the recent shutdown of MyRedbook.com are good news as we work to combat human trafficking, both internationally and here at home,” Royce, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said. “These recent federal law enforcement actions have resulted in hundreds of arrests and the identification of 168 child victims. The rescue of 27 sexually exploited children in California shows that trafficking is not just a faraway problem in developing countries.”
Combating human trafficking and child exploitation have been two priorities of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Royce convened a number of hearings on human trafficking last year and launched the Human Trafficking Congressional Advisory Committee to address concerns and to make policy recommendations.
“Kids are being abused and even sold right here in our own communities,” Royce said. “My hope is that these developments will encourage all to be even more vigilant in recognizing and reporting the signs of human trafficking, so that those who buy and sell our children will face justice.”