Tennessee state lawmakers, with the help of the TBI and local police are going after sex traffickers.
With a new study providing guidance, the goal now is to go after the people who exploit, and sometimes enslave young people.
Young women like these don't necessarily want to be in the sex business.
This is just one example of world-wide human trafficking that has enslaved millions of women..and sometimes boys.
Tennessee has not escaped the scourge, but authorities are slowing closing the loopholes here.
REP. ERIC WATSON, (R) CLEVELAND "We're going to be going after the people that's in charge of these facilities. We're going to figure out how to prosecute these people in this state."
Rep. Watson is a former deputy sheriff who serves as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
He joined the top people from the TBI, including Director Mark Gwyn as they held a news conference in Chattanooga.
REP. WATSON "We're going to figure a way out to go after their property, go after their vehicles and hit them in the pocket where its gonna hurt."
TBI Special Agent Margie Guin says new laws have already made a giant step in halting the sex traffickers. They stopped the prosecution of young people caught in the trap. She says the laws put Tennessee in a better legal position.
MARGIE GUIN, TBI, SPECIAL AGENCY "We feel confident that over the next 12 to 24 months ..This continued training and education awareness that we are doing is going to pay off dividends..not just for the state of Tennessee ..For for the victims..who become victims here in our state."
In Hamilton county, where the Message Parlors and Escort services are getting a closer look, the district attorney has appointed a special prosecutor.
DAVID SMITH, ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY "We need victims to participate..and so thats why this collaborative effort is so important. " "our cases are only as strong as the participation of the victims."
The TBI is now circulating flyers to police and social agencies with phone numbers that people who want to escape sex trafficking can call for help.
