Introduction
This essay examines human trafficking laws while focusing on Houston, Texas. It takes the hypothesis that at the state level, Texas and Houston at the local level have laws and policies, task forces to combat illegal business, help victims recover, and well-outlined court procedures to deal with the cases. The implemented laws and policies include the Safe Harbor Law, the Texas Penal Code, and the Human Trafficking Prevention Business Partnership Program. Consequently, the City of Houston Human Trafficking Task Force and the Houston Police Department Vice Division Human Trafficking Unit play a key role in addressing human trafficking and helping victims rebuild their lives.
Human Trafficking Laws in Texas
Texas has developed several laws and policies to combat human trafficking. The first law is the Safe Harbor Law, established in 2010 to protect minor victims from human trafficking (Gies et al., 2020). The law aims to consider them as victims rather than criminals.
Secondly, Texas established the Human Trafficking Prevention Business Partnership Program in 2015 (Ladd & Jones, 2021). It mandates that some companies display posters educating customers about human trafficking and provide options for staff members to report suspicious conduct. Thirdly, Texas has a policy that recognizes educators as being on the frontline of the fight against human trafficking (Lemke, 2019). The policy ensures that Texas’s teachers are given the tools and training they need to identify trafficking indicators and help kids who are in danger.
Lastly, Texas has a Penal Code that considers human trafficking a felony. According to the Penal Code, trafficking people is deliberately or consciously peddling another person with the intention or knowledge that the individual will be subjected to forced labor or sexual abuse (Ladd & Jones, 2021). The 87th session of the Texas legislature saw the passage of several trafficking-related laws, including ones that toughened penalties for offenders and provided cash for victim assistance (Ishola & Garner, 2022). The law has regulated fines and jail terms for convicts and also permits the forfeiture of funds and property obtained through human trafficking operations.
Human Trafficking Task Forces in Houston
The city of Houston and the state of Texas have human trafficking task forces. The goal of the Human Trafficking Task Force in the city of Houston is to locate and aid trafficking victims. The task force comprises members from various law enforcement agencies, nonprofit groups, and governmental bodies. As a result, the task force has put in place programs to teach healthcare professionals how to spot and aid victims of slavery (Chen et al., 2023). The Houston Police Department’s Vice Division houses a Human Trafficking Unit responsible for probing human trafficking cases throughout the city.
According to the Houston Police Department Vice Division’s 2022 information brief, the Human Trafficking Unit looks into instances of both sex trafficking and work trafficking (Gracia, 2022). It emphasizes locating and rescuing victims, bringing traffickers to justice, and providing resources to the victims. The unit also collaborates with neighborhood groups and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in the fight against human trafficking in Houston.
At the state level, the Texas Attorney General’s office has a Human Trafficking and Transnational/Organized Crime Division. The division is responsible for conducting investigations and bringing human trafficking cases to justice (Ladd & Jones, 2021). Texas Governor’s office also has a juvenile sex trafficking team responsible for organizing the state’s efforts to fight the practice. It comprises different state groups and agencies, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Texas Education Agency. The team’s goal is to create and implement strategies to improve the detection, inquiry, and prosecution of sex trafficking perpetrators and ensure accessibility of services and support for victims of the crime.
Local Policies in Houston
Locally, Houston has several regulations and policies to combat human trafficking. For example, the City of Houston’s Human Trafficking Task Force has formulated policies such as training law enforcement and service providers to identify and respond to cases of human trafficking (Ladd & Jones, 2021). Furthermore, the task force has established a victim services committee to coordinate services and support for the victims.
Other policies by the task force include the creation of a coordinated response protocol, public awareness campaigns, and collaboration with community organizations. The Human Trafficking Rescue of the Vice Division of the Houston Police Department also collaborates with other organizations to assist trafficking victims and look into incidents of trafficking (Gracia, 2022). Houston’s healthcare industry is also engaged in the fight against human trafficking, with initiatives like the Healthcare Response to Human Trafficking Pilot Program teaching medical staff how to spot and assist victims of trafficking(Chen et al., 2023). These policies have helped to regulate human trafficking within Houston.
Recovery Sources in Texas
There are laws and task forces in place for victimization and options to assist human trafficking victims with recovery in Texas and Houston. The different task forces, including the City of Houston’s Human Trafficking Task Force, Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance, Human Trafficking and Transnational/Organized Crime Division, and Texas Governor’s Juvenile Trafficking Team, are responsible for assisting human trafficking victims. Furthermore, options are available to assist victims with recovery in Houston and Texas. For instance, the Harris Health System in Houston launched a trial program to meet the healthcare requirements of victims of human trafficking (Chen et al., 2023). The program gives survivors complete assistance, like medical treatment, mental health services, and case management, as well as specific training to healthcare professionals to help them recognize and support victims of trafficking.
Emergency departments (EDs) in Texas have also introduced victim identification, evaluation, and intervention procedures (Dols et al., 2019). According to research by Dols et al. (2019), emergency departments in Texas, including those in Houston, are one of the most typical locations where victims of trafficking go for assistance. EDs have played a crucial role in identifying and assisting victims of trafficking, as many seek medical attention because they were injured while being exploited
Judicial Process in Human Trafficking Cases in Houston
In Houston, Texas, courts’ approaches to cases of human trafficking differ. The process generally consists of several phases, including the initial arrest and filing of charges, pre-trial hearings, the actual trial, and the sentence. The legal procedure starts with arresting and filing charges against the suspect. The Human Trafficking Division of the District Attorney’s office is responsible for prosecuting trafficking cases (Ladd & Jones, 2021).
A judge who will preside over the preliminary hearings and the actual trial of the case is appointed as soon as accusations are made. A jury will be chosen, and the trial will start if the matter goes to trial. The defense will try to dispute the prosecution’s assertions, while the prosecution will provide evidence and witnesses supporting their case.
There will be a sentencing hearing if the jury finds the defendant guilty. According to Texas Laws, human trafficking is the illegal trade of individuals for exploitation. Exploitation can take the form of forced labor, sexual exploitation, or actions that resemble slavery. On the other hand, anti-trafficking refers to initiatives taken to stop the practice. They include measures to stop trafficking, safeguard victims, and hold traffickers accountable.
Conclusion
Overall, both Texas and Houston have established laws and policies to address human trafficking. These include the Safe Harbor Law, the Human Trafficking Prevention Business Partnership Program, and a policy that acknowledges educators as key participants in combating human trafficking. In addition, the Texas Penal Code provides charges for human trafficking offenders.
Texas and Houston have task forces responsible for dealing with human trafficking cases. This encompasses the City of Houston Human Trafficking Task Force, the Vice Division Human Trafficking Unit of the Houston Police Department, and the Human Trafficking and Transnational/Organized Crime Division. The task forces are also involved in human trafficking victimization. Furthermore, options are available for human trafficking victims to help them recover. The human trafficking court process in Houston involves the initial arrest and charge filing, pre-trial proceedings, the trial itself, and the sentencing phase.
References
Chen, E. Y., Robichaux, K., Gordon, M. R., Coverdale, J. H., Shah, A. A., Davis, M. P., & Nguyen, P. T. (2023). A pilot program’s healthcare response to human trafficking in Houston, Texas. Journal of Human Trafficking, 9(1), 119-129. Web.
Dols, J. D., Beckmann-Mendez, D., McDow, J., Walker, K., & Moon, M. D. (2019). Human trafficking victim identification, assessment, and intervention strategies in Texas emergency departments. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 45(6), 622–633. Web.
Gies, S. V., Healy, E., Green, B., & Bobnis, A. (2020). From villain to the victim: The impact of safe harbor laws on minors involved in commercial sexual exploitation. Criminology & Public Policy, 19(2), 389–408. Web.
Gracia, A. (2022). Houston police department vice division – Human trafficking information brief, City of Houston, Texas. United States of America. Web.
Ishola, S., & Garner, J. (2022). Report on the Texas legislature, 87th session: An urban perspective-executive summary. The Bridge: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Legal & Social Policy, 7(1), 1. Web.
Ladd, M., & Jones, E. B. (2021). Texas human trafficking. PubMed IDentifier: 34424650. Web.
Lemke, M. (2019). Educators as the “frontline” of human-trafficking prevention: An analysis of state-level educational policy. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 18(3), 284–304. Web.