LAKE WORTH — Human trafficking, a pervasive crime that impacts millions of people worldwide, continues to be a significant issue in Tarrant County and across the DFW metroplex. Lighthouse Fellowship Church held a panel discussion that gathered local experts to shed some light on the ongoing efforts to combat trafficking and to support survivors.
The event Feb. 1 featured a diverse group of individuals including law enforcement officers, nonprofit leaders and advocates who are working tirelessly to address human trafficking in North Texas.
Human trafficking is defined by federal law as the use of force, fraud or coercion to exploit individuals for labor or sex.
The panelists at the forum included:
Amanda Pettit was the keynote speaker for the event. She is a representative from Rescue Hill, an organization focused on empowering survivors of sex trafficking. Petitt spoke about how this issue hits close to home.
“This is happening to our kids here in America, in our schools,” Petitt said. “Oftentimes, there is sexual abuse before the age of 6 that creates the trauma that you can almost walk it right into adulthood or they've been in it for so long and they don't have a way to get a job.”
Bowden spoke about how it can be hard to spot a victim when they're older.
“When we talk about it, we talk a lot about sexual exploitation and if you think about the majority of these victims who are getting involved in this before they turn 18,” Bowden said. “Even if we meet them in their 30s, it doesn't look like anyone is actively trafficking them.”
A key focus of the event was on locals collaborating with each other to identify, rescue and support victims of human trafficking. Among the panelists was Cmdr. Kevin Turner, who spoke about the circumstances of how people get pulled into trafficking which could then lead to people being forced into commercial sex work.
“There has been a very strong, fundamental shift in law enforcement responding to prostitution in Tarrant County,” Turner said. “The majority of them are victims or have something in their life that has led them to that point.”
Even kids may be coerced into trafficking by other kids through deception or threats, such as violence against loved ones. Among the organizations represented at the panel was Unbound Now, which operates in Texas, Louisiana and internationally. Sonya Bruce shared the organization’s mission to prevent trafficking through education and outreach.
“There can actually be kids who recruit kids as well,” Bruce said. “Parents, be aware of your childrens’ friends. Make sure that you understand not only what's going on in that other child's life, but also in the family of that other child.”
While trafficking has been a concern, the rise of technology has made it easier for traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals. Turner and other panelists discussed the dangers of online platforms, where traffickers often prey on young people.
“The vast majority of all traffickers build a relationship first,” Bowden said. “I saw a study that estimated that up to 80% of domestic minor trafficking cases start in the home, whether that is with a trusted adult in the home or through access to the internet in their own house.”
Recent studies show that more than 55% of youth who were trafficked met their trafficker online. This highlights the growing need for awareness and education kids need in this digital age. Turner pointed out the strides Texas is making in terms of combating this horrific issue.
“Texas is the first state in the nation to make a first-time offense for solicitation and prostitution a felony offense,” Turner said. “We are leading the way in the country about how to address human trafficking, specifically sex trafficking.”
All the panelists urged the audience to take action in their own communities. From supporting organizations that provide resources for survivors to having difficult but necessary conversations with children about online safety, there are many ways to get involved.