Texas must stop the cycle that feeds child sex trafficking

Though often hidden from view, or thought of as something that happens outside of the developed first world, child sex trafficking is a sobering reality throughout the United States, including here in Texas. In order to stop this terrible crime and to provide support to help survivors heal, Texas must acknowledge the risk factors that can lead to trafficking and provide resources to effectively prevent and respond to it.

Children at particular risk for falling prey to sex trafficking include those with high levels of trauma, including recent and past abuse or neglect. Organizations serving children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems have an opportunity to strengthen their prevention efforts and response to young people’s sex trade involvement and victimization. A critical strategy for preventing and responding to the tragedy of child sex trafficking is to prepare community organizations to better recognize signs that a child in their care may be trafficked, equip these organizations with skills to help survivors heal, and arm the whole system with the resources to work collaboratively to recognize and help prevent trafficking.

Runaways and unaccompanied homeless youth are particularly vulnerable.

In 2017 the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimated that 1 out of 7 reported endangered runaways were likely child sex trafficking victims. That’s why it is so critical to ensure that there are adequate programs and facilities to meet the needs of youth experiencing homelessness, to keep them safe and out of the hands of traffickers. As with child sex trafficking, research shows that the problem of youth homelessness is often hidden, making it critical to raise awareness of the issue and ensure there are proper resources and support available for these vulnerable young people.

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Texas, a reflection of the deep commitment held by our state’s leaders to ending child sex trafficking. The designation, first made by the Legislature in 2015 and championed by Gov. Greg Abbott, provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the problem and solutions to address it.

The Legislature and Abbott have put attention and resources into this issue for the last several sessions, and the new legislative session presents a crucial time to continue support. Our organizations have been grateful to collaborate with the governor, the Legislature, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and other dedicated stakeholders across the state.

As we kick off the 86th legislative session, we encourage the Legislature to continue to dedicate resources not only to the effort to fight trafficking, but also to efforts to protect young people from entering into situations that make them vulnerable to trafficking. This includes bolstering foster care services and services for youth experiencing homelessness, as well as prevention services that help children and youth avoid entering into these situations in the first place.

By working together, we can not only support survivors of trafficking, but stop the cycle that contributes to this tragedy.

Gendron is executive director of Texas Network of Youth Services and Olse is chief executive officer of Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services.