Victims are young children, teenagers, men and women. After drug dealing, human trafficking is tied with the illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal industry in the world today, and it is the fastest growing.

The HRRC was established as a volunteer coalition in 2005 in response to the growing recognition and alarm over the prevalence of human trafficking in the Greater Houston Metropolitan region. Due to our rapidly growing organizational size and proliferation of protection/prevention projects, HRRC became a 501(c ) (3) in December of 2007. Though a young organization, the HRRC has accomplished much over the past three years.

The following is a summary of our achievements:

• Joined the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA), an anti-trafficking government task force, as a member
• Launched a billboards/media campaign in 2007, in three languages: Spanish, English and Vietnamese
• Organize Human Trafficking Conferences for health care professionals
• Established Houston's Human Trafficking Awareness Week as an annual event in collaboration with the Mayor's office
• Worked with CHILDREN AT RISK during the 2007 legislative session to draft bills related to human trafficking, 4 of 6 were passed
• Conduct, on average, 6 educational presentations on human trafficking to community groups per month educating approximately 870 people per month on how to identify victims and what to do if they suspect a human trafficking situation.
• Led a nationwide letter campaign to all major feminine hygiene companies to print the rescue hotline number on all of their products
• Assisted in providing support/services to 100+ victims in the Houston area by collaborating with victim service non-profits
• Distributed Rescue and Restore materials statewide to: Texas 911 operators, Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission agents, Texas legislators and various law enforcement officials
• Established annual presence at Houston's Latino Children's Health Fair, distributing over 5,000 Spanish language Rescue and Restore materials
• Generated a host of local media hits, including 14 in the last quarter
• Working to establish a safe house for human trafficking victims
• Worked with Greater Houston 911 to establish a call forwarding system for 911 operators to the 1888 hotline and assisting in developing and establishing operator trainings and protocols.
• Established a traveling human trafficking art exhibit that will travel across the State of Texas over the next 3 years
• Identify on average 2 potential victims per month in the Greater Houston Metropolitan area and obtain numerous credible tips regarding human trafficking situations each month.
• Awarded Jim Mickelson Activist for Children Award in 2007 and Pepsi Everyday Freedom Heroes in 2007

Victims of human trafficking may look like many of the people you see everyday. Look for the following clues:

• Evidence of being controlled
• Evidence of inability to move or leave job
• Bruises or other signs of physical abuse
• Fear or depression
• Not speaking on own behalf and/or non-English speaking
• No passport or other forms of identification or documentation

Website www.houstonrr.org

GO TO TOP