Things I’ve learned

Human trafficking occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud, or coercion to compel another person to work or engage in a commercial sex act. While researching human trafficking for my current book, I’ve learned some astonishing facts:

• Houston, Texas, ranks #1 for sex trafficking cities in the U.S., but trafficking can happen in every community, and victims can be of any age, social status, race, gender, or nationality.

• Children account for half of the victims of human trafficking. In fact, the average age that a young person becomes involved in sex trafficking is 12 years old.

• Children are sometimes forced by their traffickers to recruit other children from their own schools.

• Most modern-day traffickers rely on manipulation and coercion, rather than brute force, to control their victims.

• An estimated 80% of survivors will be trafficked again after recovery,