In a powerful moment of recognition and hope, Katie Herbers, Victim Services Supervisor with the Austin Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit, was awarded the prestigious 2025 Lotus Award at the Silk Road Gala on November 1. Hosted by Asian Family Support Services of Austin (AFSSA), the annual event celebrates transformative leadership in the fight against abuse and exploitation.

🌟 A Visionary Partnership

Herbers’ leadership was instrumental in forging a groundbreaking partnership between APD’s Human Trafficking Unit and AFSSA. Through her initiative, a pilot program was launched that united two teams—law enforcement and survivor advocates—in a collaborative, trauma-informed approach to supporting adult survivors of sex trafficking.

Herbers coordinated efforts to ensure that survivor voices were central to the response model. The result: a safer, more compassionate system that prioritizes healing and justice.

“Katie’s work embodies AFSSA’s core values—Prevent, Advocate, Respond, and Transform,” said an AFSSA spokesperson. “She didn’t just build a program; she built trust.”

🛡️ A Unit on the Front Lines

The APD Human Trafficking Unit plays a critical role in enforcing laws against organized gambling, prostitution, and smuggling, while investigating cases of sexual and labor exploitation. As part of the Central Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking and the Federal Law Enforcement Task Force, the unit is deeply embedded in regional efforts to combat trafficking.

Herbers’ contributions have elevated the unit’s impact, bringing survivor-centered practices into the heart of law enforcement operations.

🌍 AFSSA’s Enduring Mission

For over three decades, AFSSA has worked to break the cycle of violence in communities at risk, especially among Asian survivors. Their culturally responsive services—delivered in home languages and rooted in heritage—have empowered countless individuals to reclaim their lives.

The Lotus Award is reserved for those whose work reflects AFSSA’s mission to educate, advocate, and transform. In honoring Herbers, AFSSA celebrates not only her achievements but the promise of a more just and compassionate future.