LONGVIEW, Texas — On Tuesday, HEPTA, a coalition that helps human trafficking survivors in East Texas hosted a prayer event in Longview aimed to bring awareness to human trafficking.
"We believe prayer is the foundation for what we have to do to combat this," HEPTA Director Melanie Wright said. "Most of it is happening right under our noses and we don’t know what to look for and what to pay attention to."
Tim Bryan, Gregg County Pct. 2 justice of the peace, said human trafficking can take shape in many forms.
"'Can you help me find my puppy,' we see things like that all the time. So much of it may be unreported," Bryan said.
HEPTA hosted an evening of prayer with music, faith and praise all in hopes for change and to bring awareness to human trafficking.
"We want to stand together in prayer and that’s the only thing that’s going to start changing this and helping this," Wright said. "It’s an evening filled with worship, praise and praying for specific things."
According to the United Nations, children account for one third of trafficking victims.
"(They are) suffering unspeakable abuse, whether they are forced into labor, sold off as brides, recruited as soldiers, or coerced into criminal activity," Wright said.
HEPTA has close ties to the city of Longview making them aware of bills and legislation passed on a state and federal level helping prevent human trafficking. Longview Councilwoman Michelle Gamboa read a proclamation reinforcing that relationship on Tuesday.
"Declaring July 30 World Day Against Trafficking of Persons Day in the city of Longview. As a former child advocate, I saw how important it was to form those connections but help address these critical issues," Gamboa said.
HEPTA offers free classes to organizations to share signs people should look out for in human trafficking. To learn more about HEPTA, click here.