TEXAS, USA — An East Texas organization is spreading awareness about human trafficking prevention.
Gov. Greg Abbott proclaimed January 2024 as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Texas. Stats show Texas is among the top in the nation for most reports of human trafficking. And local organizations said places along busy interstates like I-20 are big hot spots.
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, stats show Texas is among the second in the nation for most reports of human trafficking.
Unbound Now East Texas is a nonprofit has brought their resources to East Texas to help victims of human trafficking. Maria Villarreal is the coordinator for Unbound Now and she said places along busy interstates like I-20 are big hot spots.
"Traffickers, they use these intersections, these highways to transport their victims and victims, they are constantly moving so it can be hard for victims to even know where they are sometimes," Villarreal said.
Villarreal said it's important to spread awareness about human trafficking.
"It's very important to spread awareness about this crime, because traffickers they know how to manipulate people they know to go after people's vulnerabilities," Villarreal said.
Some of those vulnerabilities traffickers prey on include homelessness, hunger, sexual abuse and runaways.
"It is happening here. It could be happening in your backyard, it could be happening across the street," Villarreal said. "So it's just very important to know the red flags and to be educated on this crime."
She also pointed out several red flags to be aware of. Signs of fear or submissive, scripted or rehearsed answers and noticeable bruises or scars. Many traffickers also brand their victims to claim them as their property. However, in a scenario where you may notice those red flags, you shouldn’t approach the victim. Instead, report it to authorities.
With human trafficking being a nationwide crisis, Unbound Now’s mission is to serve survivors and resource communities to fight human trafficking.