Across the United States, communities suffer from human trafficking. Due to the extent that human trafficking relies upon coercion, fraud, and force, it often hides in plain sight.

Many people think most cases of trafficking involve masked men pulling an unwilling woman or girl into a van against her will. In actuality, this is not the most common means by which human trafficking occurs.

Oftentimes, traffickers form bonds with their victims before coercing them into sexual servitude, forced labor, etc. Victims of trafficking don't always just run away and get help, due to the coercion factor.

Some traffickers put literal tracking devices on their victims. Others threaten the loved ones of those being trafficked.

While raising awareness about human trafficking remains imperative, officials in Houston, Texas are working to do just that.

Combatting human trafficking in Houston

Between Tuesday, October 18 and Thursday, October 20, the Center for Public Service & Community Research, with the College of Public Service, is holding a virtual event to raise awareness.

This virtual event is a conference lasting for two hours, starting at 5:30 PM, entitled Sex Trafficking in Houston: Hidden in Plain Sight. Various Texas officials and human trafficking survivors likewise have a hand in leading this conference.

October 18's session will center around what truly entails sex trafficking. This also means getting into the nitty gritty details surrounding the demand for trafficked victims, grooming from predators, and risk factors.

On October 19, those who tune into Sex Trafficking in Houston: Hidden in Plain Sight will learn how to help facilitate the recovery of human trafficking survivors. These two hours will therefore jump into holding buyers and traffickers accountable.

Wednesday will also cover additional survivor-related aspects of sex trafficking. These aspects include programs for at-risk persons and ways to provide meaningful, targeted financial assistance to survivors.

Finally, October 20's lesson will dive into moving forward amid the fight to end human trafficking. This will cover the work of non-profit organizations seeking to put through state-level anti-trafficking laws.

Moving forward

Across the United States, more communities are hosting workshops, conferences, and meetings to target human trafficking.

Likewise, law enforcement officers nationwide are carrying out sting operations to catch human traffickers and simultaneously rescue victims.

All of this and more is imperative in eradicating human trafficking once and for all.

Anyone who wishes to report what they believe to be human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline via phone at 1 (888) 373-7888 or by text at 233733.