Sex trafficking is the second largest international crime industry, generating more than $150 billion a year off the exploitation of children and adults around the globe. Shockingly, nearly $100 million of the revenue comes from sex trafficking business in the greater DFW Metroplex, said Christine Mann, Community Engagement Coordinator for Refuge for Women North Texas, who was the featured speaker at last week’s Rotary club meeting.

 

Refuge for Women North Texas is a faith-based non-profit that provides both emergency and long-term housing and resources for healing for women who have been rescued from human trafficking or sexual exploitation. “Usually they’re trafficked at a young age, and by the time they come to us, there’s a lot of trauma,” Mann said. She explained that sex trafficking is when a person is forced, deceived, or coerced to perform a commercial sex act. Although many of the women in the sex industry appear to willingly work as prostitutes or make pornographic videos, the vast majority are engaged in sex work against their will. Mann noted that 92 percent of women and girls enslaved in sex trafficking say they want out but have no place to go or means of earning a living, and often they have had their ID stolen by their handler, or their pimp has made threats against them and their family.

 

Although many think sex trafficking only happens overseas or in big cities, like New York or Las Vegas, the industry is pervasive nationwide. Prostitution takes place not only on city streets and at truck stops, but at adult bookstores, strip clubs, massage parlors, and in hotels and motels. Sex trafficking also happens through sex tourism and at major sporting events, and of course, the porn industry is a major hub of activity. Sadly, the reality of modern day slavery affects our local community, as well. “There have been homes in Flower Mound that have been busted because they were running a brothel,” Mann said.

 

Traffickers come from all races and backgrounds, and many victims are trafficked by family members. “I had a resident trafficked by her grandfather when she was four years old,” said Mann. Traffickers also can be romantic partners, acquaintances, or strangers. “Typically, the victim knows her trafficker or his trafficker,” Mann explained, although traffickers often recruit teens and young women by presenting a fake identity, like claiming to be a musician or a representative for a modeling agency. They know how to spot potential victims and entice them with promises of money, affection, or security, Mann noted.

 

Those who are vulnerable to being trafficked include people who have a history of trauma or abuse in the home, are facing economic hardship, have an addiction to drugs or alcohol, are runaways or have come out of the foster care system, are in the LGBTQ community, or are illegal immigrants. However, even women, girls and boys who are hungry for attention and have low self-esteem can become a victim, Mann said.

 

Refuge for Women North Texas helps victims of sexual exploitation through a three-phase program, starting with trauma healing, then life skills training and employment, and transitional living arrangements. According to the website, "Each resident receives weekly, individual and group counseling therapy. An individualized plan is developed, building on the resident’s unique strengths and addressing specific needs. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and other therapeutic strategies are implemented in order to help the residents achieve their goals and experience healing." In total, it’s a two-year continuum of care, from emergency housing to financial stability and healthy living.

 

Most residents served by the charity are in their 20s or 30s, many are mothers, and almost all are dealing with substance abuse, as well as the trauma of being trafficked and sexually exploited. The non-profit relies solely on donations and currently is raising funds to pay for a home to provide additional emergency housing. Currently, there are only five beds in the area for one week of emergency housing. To learn more about the organization, or to make a donation, visit Refuge for Women North Texas.

 

If you suspect you see sex trafficking activity in any form or at any location, call the National Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733). Live chat also is available at nationaltraffickinghotline.org.