{"id":87990,"date":"2021-06-16T11:35:56","date_gmt":"2021-06-16T11:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawc.org\/?page_id=87990"},"modified":"2025-09-15T14:49:35","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T20:49:35","slug":"sex-trafficking","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hawc.org\/sex-trafficking\/","title":{"rendered":"Sex Trafficking"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;7&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; back_image=&#8221;88816&#8243; back_position=&#8221;center bottom&#8221; parallax=&#8221;yes&#8221; overlay_color=&#8221;color-jevc&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;30&#8243; equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; top_divider=&#8221;step&#8221; bottom_divider=&#8221;step_2_3&#8243; row_name=&#8221;Welcome&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;164235&#8243; overlay_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;75&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;bottom&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;186692&#8243;][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;5&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;88757&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;517420&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;6&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;5&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;4&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; css_animation=&#8221;bottom-t-top&#8221; animation_delay=&#8221;200&#8243; width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;135445&#8243;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h1&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;500&#8243; sub_lead=&#8221;yes&#8221; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;116852&#8243;]Sex trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery, involving the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain a commercial sex act, such as prostitution or pornography.[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;500&#8243; text_height=&#8221;fontheight-357766&#8243; text_italic=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;133592&#8243;]Each year, a staggering 313,000 victims are sex trafficked in Texas. Adults and children are exploited for sex and labor over and over again. (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;1&#8243;][vc_column_text text_lead=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;194102&#8243;]Houston ranks #1 for sex trafficking cities in the U.S., but trafficking can happen in every community, and victims can be of any age, social status, race, gender or nationality. Traffickers use violence, manipulation, false promises and\/or romantic relationships to lure victims into trafficking.<\/p>\n<p>A substantial connection exists between domestic violence and sex trafficking, and sexual violence and sex trafficking. Thoroughly intertwined with economic abuse and domestic violence, trafficking is an intersectional issue that we address via outreach, education, shelter services and legal support.<\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #6456a5;\">Why can\u2019t victims of trafficking just walk away?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Traffickers use a variety of psychologically and physically coercive techniques to trap their victims in plain sight.[\/vc_column_text][vc_button button_color=&#8221;color-632047&#8243; size=&#8221;btn-lg&#8221; radius=&#8221;btn-round&#8221; border_width=&#8221;0&#8243; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fhawc.org%2Fsex-trafficking-why-victims-dont-just-walk-away%2F|title:Sex%20Trafficking%3A%20Why%20Victims%20Don%E2%80%99t%20Just%20Walk%20Away%3F&#8221; button_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;632765&#8243;]LEARN MORE[\/vc_button][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;2&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; radius=&#8221;lg&#8221; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;195112&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;7&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;7&#8243; back_color=&#8221;color-wayh&#8221; back_image=&#8221;88272&#8243; parallax=&#8221;yes&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;30&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;117732&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_row_inner row_inner_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;4&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243;][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;bottom&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; css_animation=&#8221;bottom-t-top&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;225906&#8243;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h1&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;900&#8243; text_transform=&#8221;uppercase&#8221; sub_lead=&#8221;yes&#8221; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;201400&#8243;]They Found a Safe Haven[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;778215&#8243;]Patricia&#8217;s teenage daughter was a victim of sex trafficking in Chicago. When her trafficker threatened her with violence for refusing to continue to work for him, she escaped. Days later, the teen and her mother arrived in HAWC&#8217;s emergency housing in a state of paranoia and panic.<\/p>\n<p>Once safe, the pair received immediate trauma support and were connected to mental health resources. Patricia&#8217;s daughter also received individualized care and counseling with our in-house psychotherapist. Over the next few weeks, this family began their healing journey, from escaping to surviving sex trafficking.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; align_horizontal=&#8221;align_center&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;30&#8243; radius=&#8221;std&#8221; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; css_animation=&#8221;alpha-anim&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;187022&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;88820&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; shape=&#8221;img-round&#8221; radius=&#8221;std&#8221; shadow=&#8221;yes&#8221; shadow_weight=&#8221;std&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;159791&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;6&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;6&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;174006&#8243; row_name=&#8221;grooming&#8221;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; css_animation=&#8221;bottom-t-top&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;187705&#8243;][vc_row_inner row_inner_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;4&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243;][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_horizontal=&#8221;left&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h1&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;500&#8243; sub_lead=&#8221;yes&#8221; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;181248&#8243;]Are You Being Groomed?[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text text_lead=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;631966&#8243;]Grooming is the process a trafficker uses to identify and ultimately control someone.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Traffickers typically identify someone who is vulnerable and has a need.<\/li>\n<li>They initially come across as friendly and attentive, but that is a tactic to gain a victim\u2019s trust, learn more about them and uncover their vulnerabilities.<\/li>\n<li>They fill the victim\u2019s needs by showering them with affection, attention, gifts and false promises &#8212; anything to hook them.<\/li>\n<li>They isolate the victim and then the abuse begins. Traffickers demand sex as repayment and will use fraud, force or coercion to assert control over the victim.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;80&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; align_medium=&#8221;align_center_tablet&#8221; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; align_mobile=&#8221;align_center_mobile&#8221; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;1&#8243;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_font=&#8221;font-133745&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;800&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;802023&#8243;]Frequently Asked Questions[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_accordion typography=&#8221;yes&#8221; sign=&#8221;plus&#8221; active_tab=&#8221;0&#8243;][vc_accordion_tab icon=&#8221;fa fa-angle-right&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; title=&#8221;What are the signs of sex trafficking?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;d21d5937-3bb0-215556789140014416-5187c29c-9a8bfa45-b0732509-2dac&#8221;][vc_column_text text_lead=&#8221;yes&#8221;]The U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons suggests the following as potential trafficking red flags:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Living with employer<\/li>\n<li>Poor living conditions<\/li>\n<li>Multiple people in cramped space<\/li>\n<li>Inability to speak to individual alone<\/li>\n<li>Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed<\/li>\n<li>Employer is holding identity documents<\/li>\n<li>Signs of physical abuse<\/li>\n<li>Submissive or fearful<\/li>\n<li>Unpaid or paid very little<\/li>\n<li>Under 18 and in prostitution<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab icon=&#8221;fa fa-angle-right&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; title=&#8221;How can I help someone who I suspect is being sex trafficked?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1623836769396-4-22509-2dac&#8221;][vc_column_text text_lead=&#8221;yes&#8221;]First, make sure you are not jeopardizing the victim\u2019s safety because the trafficker could be watching. The following are sample questions to ask, provided by the U.S. State Department\u2019s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Can you leave your job if you want to?<\/li>\n<li>Can you come and go as you please?<\/li>\n<li>Have you been hurt or threatened if you tried to leave?<\/li>\n<li>Has your family been threatened?<\/li>\n<li>Do you live with your employer?<\/li>\n<li>Where do you sleep and eat?<\/li>\n<li>Are you in debt to your employer?<\/li>\n<li>Do you have your passport\/identification? Who has it?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #6456a5;\"><a style=\"color: #6456a5;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/identify-and-assist-a-trafficking-victim\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2192\u00a0 Identify and Assist a Trafficking Victim &#8211; United States Department of State<\/a><\/span><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][\/vc_accordion][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;2&#8243;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_font=&#8221;font-133745&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h1&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;500&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;170912&#8243;]How Can I Escape If I Am Being Trafficked?[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text text_lead=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;164602&#8243;]Leaving a trafficker can not only be difficult, it can also be unsafe. Call 9-1-1 immediately.<\/p>\n<p>There is no way of knowing how the trafficker may react and retaliate. If, however, you have escaped, we can help. Survivors are encouraged to call our Hotlines or LiveChat with us for assistance.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Domestic Violence Hotline: <strong><span style=\"color: #6456a5;\"><a style=\"color: #6456a5;\" href=\"tel:7135282121\">(713) 528-2121<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Sexual Assault Hotline:<strong><span style=\"color: #6456a5;\"> <a style=\"color: #6456a5;\" href=\"tel:7135287273\">(713) 528-RAPE (7273)<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>TTY:<strong> <span style=\"color: #6456a5;\"><a style=\"color: #6456a5;\" href=\"tel:3462958994\">(346) 295-8994<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; back_image=&#8221;88272&#8243; back_position=&#8221;center center&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;70&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; align_horizontal=&#8221;align_center&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;900&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; align_horizontal=&#8221;align_center&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;900&#8243;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;fontsize-155944&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;900&#8243; css_animation=&#8221;alpha-anim&#8221; animation_delay=&#8221;200&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;761468&#8243;]Be part of the solution.[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;2&#8243;][vc_button button_color=&#8221;color-632047&#8243; size=&#8221;btn-xl&#8221; outline=&#8221;yes&#8221; border_width=&#8221;0&#8243; display=&#8221;inline&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bottom-t-top&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fhawc.org%2Fdonate%2F|title:Ways%20to%20Give&#8221; button_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;171716&#8243;]WAYS TO GIVE[\/vc_button][vc_button button_color=&#8221;color-632047&#8243; size=&#8221;btn-xl&#8221; border_width=&#8221;0&#8243; display=&#8221;inline&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bottom-t-top&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fhawc.org%2Fsupport-us%2F|title:Get%20Involved&#8221; button_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;640011&#8243;]GET INVOLVED[\/vc_button][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Houston ranks #1 for sex trafficking cities in the U.S.. Traffickers use a variety of coercive techniques to trap their victims in plain sight.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":89156,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-87990","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>HAWC - Sex Trafficking<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Houston ranks #1 for sex trafficking cities in the U.S.. 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