Posted on · Local organization "Children at Risk" held its third annual summit on human trafficking in Dallas today. This year has been busy for raising awareness of trafficking in Houston and Texas. But when will that work be enough?
Posted on · Harris County Commissioners have approved changes to regulations for sexually oriented businesses that operate in unincorporated areas of the county. It's an attempt to add more teeth to laws that are often easy to get around.
Posted on · Texas lawmakers studying human trafficking came to Houston to collect more testimony on the issue. The meetings will be used to find ways to improve public services for human trafficking victims.
Posted on · The numbers that make Houston one of the major hubs for human trafficking continue to grow, as do the number of local organizations fighting against it. The latest nonprofit to join this battle has decided to spread the word in an unusual way, through the use of coffee.
Posted on · Houston is a major hub for human trafficking in the United States. That's why Houston Mayor Annise Parker has put together an advisory committee to come up with recommendations on how to deal with the problem.
Posted on · It's no secret that Houston is one of the country's largest hubs for human trafficking. Until recently trafficked kids caught prostituting were sent to a detention center. Once released, they often go back to that lifestyle. Now there's another option and it's called Freedom Place.
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.