JEFFERSON CITY — Today, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1, brought forth by Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, received a vote (7-0) in the Missouri Senate Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee. This resolution would designate January as Sex Trafficking Awareness Month in Missouri.

“Sex trafficking is a serious problem in our community, whether we like to admit it or not,” Sen. Nasheed said. “SCR 1 is the first step to bringing the very serious issue of sex trafficking to light. It is truly a silent epidemic”, said Sen. Nasheed.

“Many victims of sex trafficking are vulnerable children. Kids from poor families, bounced around the foster care system, those whose caretakers are sick and disabled, whose parents are incarcerated, and who have been abused most of their lives.”

During the hearing, Sen. Nasheed and other witnesses discussed alarming statistics about sex trafficking in Missouri.

“The Justice Department states that St. Louis is in the top 20 problem cities for sex trafficking.

Missouri is the number 10 problem state in the country. This is a problem, here where we live, and we need to do better by addressing the issue.”

“The average starting age for these girls is 13 or 14. That’s a travesty.”

“There are 100,000 to 300,000 children at risk of sex trafficking in the US right now. We need to do our part by raising awareness here in Missouri.”

Sen. Nasheed concluded her comments by urging the committee that this resolution is needed and necessary for the State of Missouri.

To learn about Sen. Nasheed and any of her current or past legislation, or any legislative committees on which Sen. Nasheed serves, visit her Senate website, www.senate.mo.gov/Nasheed.