Texas lawmakers, trucking industry announce decal campaign to raise awareness of boys who are trafficked

At a press event in the Texas State Capitol media room, Senator Parker and other lawmakers joined the Texas Trucking Association, Bob Williams of Bob's House of Hope and Texas Department of Public Safety representatives to announce a trucking decal and awareness campaign aimed at drawing attention to trafficking of boys and young men.

"This is a very serious topic that is facing Texas," Senator Parker said, adding that the state ranks near the top nationally on human-trafficking indicators. The senator said the campaign will add awareness stickers and signage to commercial trucks and urged continued legislative and community focus on the issue.

The campaign, led in partnership with the Texas Trucking Association and several private carriers, will put decals on the backs of commercial trucks that include a barcode and a phone number linking to resources and reporting information for suspected trafficking victims. John Esparza, CEO and president of the Texas Trucking Association, described the effort as an extension of industry training and the "see something, say something" approach used by drivers.

"If you see something, say something," Esparza said, describing the trucking industry as having an opportunity to use more than 200,000 drivers who are on Texas roads to spot and report signs of trafficking. He said the association will coordinate outreach with state lawmakers and community partners.

Bob Williams, founder of Bob's House of Hope in Denton County, said his organization operates what he described as the first safe house in the country focused on restoring boys and young men who have been trafficked. Williams cited national research when discussing prevalence: "In 2019, under President Trump, the Justice Department did a study, and they reported that 36% of human trafficking victims are boys and young men. ACPAT ... said 38% ... Both studies say it's so underreported that it could be up to 50%."

Representative Ben Baumgartner and Lieutenant Gregoriero of the Texas Department of Public Safety also spoke at the event. Lt. Gregoriero said the DPS takes a proactive approach to combating human trafficking and emphasized that focusing only on girls can lead to overlooking male victims. Lawmakers at the event said they plan to continue supporting law enforcement tools and victim services through legislation and partnerships.

Companies at the event described operational details. Brett Hagenbu, identified as a state senator for Senate District 30 and owner of Titus Transport, said his company runs about 750 drivers and will put the decals on its fleet; he said approximately six of those drivers are on the road on any given night in Texas. A driver identified as John Coleman was introduced at the podium as an example of the thousands of drivers who could help notice and report suspicious activity.

Williams described Bob's House of Hope as offering a four-year residential program intended to address trauma and reintegration; he said the program emphasizes faith-based components and professional services. Williams also said the campaign includes media buys with Clear Channel in 70 cities and that trucking companies and independent drivers may request stickers through the organization's website and press release.

The announcement was framed as an awareness and referral initiative rather than a change in law. Organizers asked private carriers and other businesses, including the Texas Packaging Association, to join the effort so the decals will reach more parts of Texas and, they hope, other states. After the formal remarks, participants went to photograph a truck bearing the first decal.

The event featured no formal motions or votes recorded during the press conference; the gathering was an announcement of partnerships and outreach activities.