January is recognized as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking and educating the public on how to identify and prevent this crime.

And a local organization stepped up on January 10 to do just that. The Katy Area Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., through its International Awareness and Involvement Committee, hosted a symposium at Grace Fellowship Church, 2655 S. Mason in Katy, bringing in Houston-area experts from law enforcement and from nonprofits which assist in the effort, as well as a survivor.

Ken Henry, co-founder of the Coming Home Foundation which assists survivors in finding long-term housing, gave an overview of the different type of trafficking, including sex trafficking, street trafficking, online sex trafficking, strip clubs, illicit massage parlors, in-home personal services, pornography, trap houses, and forced labor in industries such as construction, landscaping and hospitality. Human traffickers can be anyone, Henry said, such as a community leader, school leader, church leader, employer or family member. Henry said that the public can help in the efforts to combat human trafficking by becoming educated on the issue and by volunteering atm donating to or giving resources to organizations that assist survivors of human trafficking.

A nationally recognized leader with over 20 years of experience in advancing survivor-centered, trauma-informed responses to human trafficking, Lucresia Monte is the Human Trafficking Program Manager at San Jose Clinic at 2615 Fannin in Houston. Monte provided guidance on how to identify individuals who may be trafficking victims, citing physical characteristics such as bruising, branding, and bar codes; behavioral traits such as anxiety, fearfulness, submission, avoidance of conversation or dialogue that appears coached; and situational indicators, such as isolation from friends and withdrawal from activities previously enjoyed. Kids are often recruited by other kids – leaders who target the vulnerable. Social media, messaging apps and even online games such as Roadblock have been used to lure victims into trafficking, she said. Social media offers a sense of belonging, the presenters said, making it easier for traffickers to target a vulnerable child.

Monte and Henry, along with FBI Houston Child Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force leader Torrence White, all recommended that parents closely monitor their child’s usage of these items. They also urged parents to be cautious in their responses to the situation if they suspect or learn that their child may be involved in trafficking. The first response should not be anger or

condemnation but support: “How can I help?” A lot of families don’t report these situations to law enforcement because of the stigma associated with human trafficking, White said. Henry also urged parents to “talk early” to their children about trafficking, pornography, and social media, and the related dangers, citing current research showing that children may be viewing pornography for the first time as early as eight years of age.

Human trafficking survivor Jordan Scott, who was transported across the country as far away as Montana and Arkansas, described what survivors need following their escape from being trafficked. The immediate need is for safe and secure housing with mental health support, she said, followed by food and hygiene items. While the Houston area does have some shelters for victims of domestic violence, there are none for human trafficking victims, FBI Agent White said; some victims are still fighting drug addiction and require detox and other services, he added. Medical and dental services, along with clothing are also immediate needs, Scott said. Some survivors have developed diabetes – even in their 20’s – due to malnutrition, starvation and being drugged during captivity.

If survivors can’t find safe housing, they may be forced to return to their captors in order to get food and shelter, White said – leading some survivors to have to attempt escape as many as eight times before they are free.

It will take a “wrap-around” approach to help the victims of trafficking, Henry said, involving partnerships among law enforcement, nonprofits serving survivors and the community.

To learn more or more information on how you can help, contact these organizations:

· San Jose Clinic: 713-228-9411 · Coming Home Foundation: Contact@cominghomefd.org

· Human Trafficking Resource Alliance: 713-308-8600

· Report suspected human trafficking at the hotline: 1-888-373-7888