Each year the US Department of State releases a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The TIP is a resource for governmental anti-human trafficking efforts worldwide as well as a way to engage foreign governments on this issue. The TIP looks at the global nature and scope of human trafficking along with actions to combat it. [...]
The Protected Innocence Initiative
Posted in Reports
The Protected Innocence Initiative is a study done by Shared Hope International in partnership with the American Center for Law & Justice. It is based on the Protected Innocence Legislative framework, which states the basic policy principles that are necessary in order to create a safer environment for children. In the study, Shared Hope [...]
The Texas Response to Human Trafficking
Posted in Reports
The Texas Response to Human Trafficking (2008), released by the Texas Attorney General, gives an overview of human trafficking in Texas and how the government has responded. The report also identifies issues related to human trafficking and offers recommendations to augment already existing legislation and victim services. These recommendations include: funding for programs and services, changes to [...]
The National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking
Posted in Reports
Shared Hope International began addressing the issue of sex trafficking through The DEMAND Project. Through this, they investigated buyers, facilitators, and traffickers in Jamaica, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States. What they discovered was that sex trafficking is an industry driven by demand and the product most commonly for sale is local (domestic) children. [...]
The Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force Report
Posted in Reports
After the release of the 2008 human trafficking report, The Texas Response to Human Trafficking, which gave an overview of human trafficking in Texas, the Office of the Attorney General recommended measures to be taken to improve responses to human trafficking and services for victims. One such recommendation was the formation of a state-wide task [...]
Victim of Sex Trafficking Builds New Life
By: Sally MacDonald Fox 26 February 16, 2012 Fox 26 recently had the opportunity to interview a young woman who was trafficked from Mexico to Houston as a child. Maria was promised love and the fulfillment of dreams by her “boyfriend” who smuggled her into Houston and put her to work as a sex slave [...]
Crime Stoppers Safety Series: “Not My Life” Screening
The 2012 Crime Stoppers Safety Series is beginning with a focus on Human Trafficking. After a screening of the documentary “Not My Life”, there will be a panel discussion with Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Houston Rescue and Restore, and Crime stoppers. The discussion will be about fighting Human Trafficking in our community. “Not My Life” probes [...]
Houston Press Accused of Aiding Sex Trafficking
By: Isaiah Carey Fox 26 February 7, 2012 In light of the reality of Houston’s rampant sex trade, one local paper has a problem with the content of another. In January of 2012 Omar Afra, the publisher of Free Press Houston, highlighted the issue of human trafficking in Houston. One writer published an article suggesting [...]
Students Help Expose Human Trafficking
Fox 26 February 7, 2012 Although the facts about human trafficking are disturbing, there is some hope. There are many organizations in the greater Houston area that are working to raise awareness about and combat this crime. Watch this video to see how some students in Houston are taking on the issue. Students Help Expose [...]
Trafficking Task Force Helps Rescue Victims
By: Sally MacDonald Fox 26 February 9, 2012 Human Trafficking is not a problem that can be stopped by one individual or organization. For this reason, a number of law enforcement groups, service providers and NGOs formed a task force in 2004 called the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance to take on the issue of human [...]