Human trafficking is one of the most urgent human rights crises of our time—hidden in plain sight, fueled by exploitation, and sustained by silence. This January, as Texas observes Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the message is unmistakable: freedom is non-negotiable, and communities like Houston are drawing a firm line against abuse.

Led by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the state is elevating prevention, education, and survivor support through coordinated programs that place people—especially the most vulnerable—at the center. A statewide proclamation from Greg Abbott reinforces the urgency, calling on Texans to recognize trafficking for what it is: a crime that robs individuals of liberty and undermines public safety.

A Crime That Touches Every Community

Human trafficking includes sexual exploitation and forced labor, and it does not discriminate by age, gender, or background. In a global hub like Houston—home to major ports, highways, and a world-class medical corridor—prevention requires vigilance, coordination, and compassion. Traffickers depend on invisibility; communities defeat trafficking by making it visible.

Health Care Providers on the Front Lines

One of Texas’ most effective strategies focuses on health care professionals, who often encounter survivors while exploitation is ongoing. HHSC emphasizes awareness training so providers can identify warning signs and respond appropriately—without judgment, fear, or delay. Compassionate care can be the first safe doorway out of harm.

HEART: Turning Awareness into Action

A cornerstone of this effort is HEART—Hearing, Evaluating, Activating, Resourcing, and Training. This free training equips health care workers to recognize indicators of trafficking and take survivor-centered steps toward help. The results are tangible: more than 109,000 Texas health care providers completed HEART training between September 2024 and August 2025, dramatically expanding the state’s capacity to intervene early and effectively.

Connecting Survivors to Support

The HHSC Human Trafficking Resource Center anchors statewide prevention by funding initiatives, offering specialized training, and connecting survivors to critical services—from emergency shelter and counseling to legal advocacy. Texas also participates in the Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, a coalition of more than 50 organizations working together to educate the public, identify victims, strengthen prosecutions, and recommend policies that close gaps traffickers exploit.

How Texans Can Help—Every Day

Prevention isn’t limited to professionals. Texans can report suspicious activity through iWatchTexas, support survivor services by purchasing the “Stop Human Trafficking” specialty license plate, and stay informed about the signs of trafficking. Small actions, multiplied across millions of residents, create powerful deterrence.

Houston’s Leadership Moment

Houston’s strength has always been its people—diverse, resilient, and ready to protect one another. Ending trafficking means believing survivors, asking hard questions, and refusing to look away. Awareness opens eyes; action saves lives.

If You Suspect Trafficking

• Call 9-1-1 if someone is in immediate danger
• National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 (TTY: 711)
• Text: 233733
• Online Chat: National Human Trafficking Hotline

Houston Style Magazine Takeaway: Human trafficking has no place in Texas. With education, accountability, and compassion—powered by community leadership—Houston is proving that freedom is a right worth defending, every day, for everyone.