Houston is a major trafficking hub in the United States, as well as Los Angeles and Atlanta. The Department of Justice estimates that roughly 1-in-4 women trafficked in the United States travel through Houston.
The following map was created using businesses that researched and identified by Children at Risk, then cross-referenced against sites where they advertise like rubmap.com or backpage.com.
Each contour line represents an ‘elevation’ of trafficking within a three-mile radius. Densely packed contour lines represent higher concentrations of unlicensed sexually-oriented businesses: tea houses, massage parlors and cantinas. Partial lines represent fewer businesses.
Hover over or click unfamiliar streets to view its street name. View a full screen version of the map here.
Subscribe to Today in Houston
Fill out the form below to subscribe our new daily editorial newsletter from the HPM Newsroom.