Representative Troy Nehls/Jake Bachman

Two months before going to DC in April (2025) I had emailed and requested a meeting with the Representative of my district here in Texas, Troy Nehls, to talk about the problem of businesses which use sex trafficking as a business model. Establishments such as strip clubs, massage parlors, cantinas, and a burgeoning issue of sports bars offering memberships, and like cantinas, a steady rotation of prostitutes to choose from and carry out their business in the back rooms of these establishments. The girls they use travel from one part of the state to the next, and it’s a steady lineup of girls who are being caravanned in about every 2-3 months. This is blatant sex trafficking, and it’s going on in just about every city in the USA.

I didn’t get that meeting, but I was referred to Troy Nehls’ Council On Crime, Jake Bachman’s office in Washington, DC. I knew I’d be in DC with RAINN in April, and I scheduled that appointment. With one email. It was that easy. My appointment was the day after RAINN’s Congressional Day Of Action. Surprisingly, my nerves were steady. I mean, I didn’t have my sisters with me — this was a solo trip — but I was rich with empowerment from the day before, meeting with a handful of US Senators.

Mr. Bachman’s office wasn’t far from The Capitol Building, and like the Capitol Building, it was a tireless maze of hallways and elevators. I felt like a mouse caught up in a maze. I’m good at asking people for directions, and it’s a good thing I’m always early for appointments, because his office was insanely hard to find.

I didn’t get to meet with Mr. Bachman himself; instead, I met with one of his aids. Don’t get discouraged if this happens to you. Very often, with politicians and their staff, you don’t get a face-to-face moment with them. I did however get someone who has his ear, and that was good enough for me.

This little girl from Texas (okay, originally Los Angeles) now a full-grown empowered woman with a mission, completed her journey. The meeting itself lasted maybe 15–20 minutes. I don’t know what kind of impact I made, but I felt the weight of these girls being sold nightly like chattel heavily on my mind. You see, we too are sisters. I feel a responsibility to take action and let the lawmakers know what’s going on. I mean, they already know, but I was a voice for them in that moment. Your voice carries as well, and I encourage you to use it. Take a chance. Send an email when you know of an injustice, a lousy bill, or you just are an underdog. Use your voice, because voices carry.

I want to thank Representative Nehls, and Mr. Bachman for giving me their time.