Posted on · The Harris County Attorney's office and a local nonprofit are teaming up against local human trafficking operations. According to the Justice Department, 1 out of every 4 victims is brought through Harris County before being sent to other parts of the country. The County says shutting down the operations isn't easy, so they're hoping to use another tool — lawsuits.
Posted on · Houston is one of the country's largest hubs for human trafficking, with the average victim just 12 years old. While a 2010 state law prevents children under 14 from being charged with prostitution, a legal gap remains for kids between 14 and 17. This gap means that after being picked up by police, many teens are left with nowhere to go next. A new safe house in Houston is hoping to be that next step.
Posted on · Ten Houston lawyers have volunteered to take cases that will help the county put human traffickers behind bars and shut down the businesses they operate.
Posted on · Houston organizations that help victims of human trafficking are celebrating new state legislation signed into law today that includes tougher penalties for convicted traffickers. Laurie Johnson reports.
Posted on · Texas laws get a "C" for how they protect children from sex trafficking. A national organization is rating the sex trafficking laws of all 50 states and has just released the review of Texas. Rod Rice reports.
Posted on · Houstonians drive by literally dozens of strip centers every week without realizing some of the establishments in those retail malls are fronts for trafficking. And the criminals aren't just peddling drugs or guns — they're selling people. Laurie Johnson reports.