Austin cracks down on sex slavery

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Anyone can be a victim of modern day slavery, but young girls are particularly vulnerable.  When big events  come to Austin, advocates say the demand for sex goes up, and that's why human trafficking is on the rise.

Saturday, dozens of supporters showed up at the George Washington Carver Theater to take a stand and help those being held against their will.  Zonta Club of Austin along with other organizations help those who have been sold for sex, take back their lives.

In July local law enforcement arrested two men in Cedar Park for trafficking persons out of a massage parlor.  In late August, Austin Police Department arrested two men and a woman for human trafficking after being accused of abducting at least four women and forcing them into prostitution.

Big events like F-1, which is expected to bring in 120,000 people to the city is a time when trafficking is in high demand.  That's why local law enforcement and organizations created "Formula One Task Force" to crack down on any human trafficking during that week of the race.

Zonta Club of Austin, Shelly Baumgartner said, "They're kept captive, their held against their will.  They're threatened.  Their families are threatened, so they really feel that they have no option other than to do what their perpetrator is demanding."

Organizers said they plan to be at the race in November to bring awareness to visitors.