Bergstrom requests legislation to educate students on kidnapping and trafficking

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, said he was working on legislation for the 2024 session to help students better understand potential dangers like kidnapping and human trafficking.

“Unfortunately, being in the crossroads of the United States, our state is susceptible to trafficking activity,” Bergstrom said. “Children are vulnerable and may think this is the kind of thing that would never happen in Oklahoma, and especially think it wouldn’t happen to them. But the unfortunate reality is that kidnapping and sex trafficking are real, and happening in our local communities more and more often. Children in our state need to be educated on how to avoid putting themselves in dangerous situations.”

Data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation indicates a steady increase in the number of human trafficking incidents over the past decade.

“After hearing from a very concerned constituent, I have started work on a bill providing seminars to students in our public schools to teach them how to be safe not only when they are out and about, but in their online activity as well,” Bergstrom said. “I look forward to researching more on this subject and introducing legislation to implement effective programs in Oklahoma that will benefit, educate and protect children in our state, and hopefully prevent our most vulnerable population from becoming victims of human trafficking.”

The bill can be officially filed later this year, ahead of the 2024 legislative session.

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For more information, contact: Sen. Micheal Bergstrom at 405-521-5561, or email Micheal.Bergstrom@oksenate.gov.