Combating Human Trafficking in Texas

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The topic of human trafficking has been making headlines in recent years, and rightfully so. It’s ballooned into a global crisis that’s now the second most lucrative international crime and a multi-billion dollar industry.While nowhere is immune, Texas is among the hardest-hit regions in the nation today. It ranks second in human trafficking crime, and it’s become a major focal point in the fight. This has prompted local and state authorities to tackle the issue head-on by updating Texas human trafficking laws, introducing crime prevention initiatives, and making Texas human trafficking courses mandatory for industries where opportunities to intervene are high like healthcare and transportation.   Human trafficking in Texas represents an enormous challenge, and one that is sure to be ongoing. New requirements create an opportunity for better-informed professionals to make a major impact in the lives of children and adults who are trapped in the cycle of crime.

The Scope of The Tragedy

Human trafficking is considered to be one of the most widely underreported crimes, and it is estimated that there are over 300,000 people currently living in the state of Texas who are involved in a variety of schemes. These include 79,000 children being trafficked for sex, and 234,00 adults being trafficked for labor, and child and youth trafficking alone accounts for about $6.6 billion in illicit revenue. Much of this is playing out in what has been dubbed the “Texas Triangle” of  Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, and despite the scope of the problem, reporting and prosecution are shockingly low. In 2020, there were only 185 arrests and 28 convictions throughout the state. Technology has also greatly expanded the scope and harm human trafficking can inflict. Sexual abuse and other forms of exploitation are also taking place virtually as well as in person, and photos and videos make it easy for criminals engaging in human trafficking in Texas to export crime worldwide. Social media has also been instrumental in the recruitment of victims who are being targeted and groomed via apps and online dating platforms where location services, access to personal information, and easy avenues of communication are commonplace.

Identifying Potential Victims

It’s the responsibility of everyone to combat human trafficking, and the first, best line of defense is the professionals in industries that serve and interact with members of potentially vulnerable populations. It’s critical to empower them with the information and training they need to make an impact. One of the biggest challenges of spotting victims is that no unique profile exists. On the surface, they often look like anybody else, and may have become trapped in situations they initially entered voluntarily or were groomed by someone they know. Almost half of all victims of human trafficking in Texas are trafficked by a family member, also known as familial trafficking, and there’s an obvious parent or family connection that obscures the true nature of the relationship. These victims are often attending school by day and being trafficked by night.While anyone can become ensnared, there are particular risk factors that can make someone more susceptible.  Knowing an individual’s circumstances can support victim identification by heightening awareness in the people around them. Vulnerable populations with disproportionately higher risk include:

• Persons with a substance use history
• Homeless or runaway youth
• Members of the LQBTQIA+ community
• Victims of previous trauma or sexual violence
• People with a  history of juvenile offenses

In addition to specific vulnerabilities, here are some common indicators to be aware of as well. Any of these factors—especially several presenting at once—may be evidence of someone being trafficked:

• Frequent sexually transmitted infections or injuries
• Skeletal or soft tissue trauma
• Bruising
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Skin or respiratory problems caused by exposure to agricultural chemicals
• Oral health issues, including broken teeth
• Signs of concussions, traumatic brain injuries or unexplained memory loss
• Malnutrition
• Substance dependence

Reporting Human Trafficking in Texas

Once a potential victim has been identified, reporting the problem to the proper authorities is critical. However, it also presents its own challenges. Fear can make victims reluctant to communicate and unlikely to feel safe. They may also be children, have significant language and cultural barriers, or be suffering from serious psychological and physical trauma.Fortunately, there are many services that facilitate fast and effective reporting. The National Human Trafficking Hotline can be accessed by anyone 24/7, and the Texas Human Trafficking Resource Center will connect Health and Human Services staff, health care providers, key stakeholders, and those identified as human trafficking victims to essential resources.

Taking Back Texas

Human trafficking in Texas will continue to be on the forefront of the war against crime, but with the right resources, it can be beaten. CE requirements on human trafficking and victim identification are some of the best ways to deliver the training professionals in Texas—and across the country—need to make a difference in their communities.  If you’re living in Texas, Human Trafficking for Healthcare Providers, An Analysis of Cases created by Premiere has recently been approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Board to satisfy mandatory human trafficking education requirements for all required industries. It’s informative, effective, accessible from any screen with a few simple clicks, and automatically logs completion with appropriate tracking agencies. Connect with Premiere today to keep informed, aware, and current in the fight against human trafficking in your state.