HOUSTON, TX – Lone Star Legal Aid joined CHILDREN AT RISK for an educational bus tour presentation, sponsored by Locke Lord, LLP, on human trafficking in Houston on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, where they were able to get a first-hand look at both where major trafficking incidents have occurred and where this crime may be presently occurring.
This informative event included a detailed presentation on the $32 billion worldwide industry and the statistics on the growing crime in Houston led by Senior Staff Attorney, Jamey Caruthers. Participants, attorneys from local law firms, paralegals, state representatives, and Houston judges, left eager to learn more about what they can do in their community to put an end to human trafficking.
Everyone was captivated by the horrific truth about illicit businesses operating in Houston. Texas is a leading hub for human trafficking and continued efforts are being made to reduce and assist the victims of these crimes.
One of the participants was shocked after visiting all of the human trafficking sites. “It was informative. I now view Houston in a different light,” paralegal, Allen Morris said. “It is important to be observant because someone might be crying out in silence.”
CHILDREN AT RISK is a research and advocacy organization dedicated to addressing the root causes of poor pubic policies affecting children. This organization has grown to become known statewide, impacting children in Texas and driving change for over 30 years. They work on a range of children’s issues, including education, parents and family wellbeing, health and nutrition, immigration, and the fight to end human trafficking. If you would like to help put an end to human trafficking in Houston, click here.
If you see suspicious activity that could be classified as human trafficking, visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Below are statistics highlighting the dangers of human trafficking in Texas.
If you or a loved one are experiencing abuse and need assistance, self-help resources are available via www.texaslawhelp.org. If you or a loved one are in need of an attorney or would like to explore other resources, you can utilize if they are being abused, you can visit the Texas Crime Victim Legal Assistance Network.
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves the millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those who have disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.lonestarlegal.org.
Media contact: Clarissa Ayala, cayala@lonestarlegal.org.
