Human trafficking is a significant problem in Texas. According to statistics from the Texas Attorney General, the state has convicted several hundred people of human trafficking over the past decade. In addition to any criminal cases brought against traffickers, survivors may be entitled to compensation through the civil court system under the human trafficking laws in Texas.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is the exploitation of another person for labor, services, or commercial sex. While traffickers generally accomplish their objectives through control, pressure, threats, fraud, or coercion, human trafficking doesn’t look the same in every situation. For example, a person may be trafficked even if they aren’t physically restrained. The key issue is whether they were exploited for someone else’s benefit in a way that violated the law.
What Constitutes Human Trafficking in Texas?
Human trafficking in Texas is defined by law as knowingly trafficking another person for forced labor or services, causing someone to engage in commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion, or benefiting from a venture that involves this conduct. The law includes specific protections for children and disabled individuals.
Understanding Different Types of Trafficking
Different forms of exploitation can fall under the umbrella of human trafficking. The person’s age, the type of conduct involved, and whether force, fraud, or coercion was used will typically determine how an offense is charged and prosecuted.
Three of the most prevalent forms of human trafficking include the following:
- Labor Trafficking – Labor trafficking involves exploiting a person for labor- or service-related purposes. A survivor may face pressure, threats, deception, or control that enables another person or business to benefit from their labor. The key issue in these cases is that the person was made to perform work through unlawful control or exploitation.
- Sex Trafficking – Sex trafficking involves forcing, deceiving, or coercing another person to engage in commercial sex. Texas law also addresses people who benefit from or participate in ventures involving this conduct, meaning a sex trafficking case may involve more than the person who directly abused the survivor. Other parties may also face scrutiny if they helped, profited from, or allowed the exploitation to continue.
- Child Trafficking – Texas law treats trafficking involving children differently because minors receive added legal protections. A child doesn’t need to prove the same facts that may be required in an adult trafficking case. For example, conduct involving a minor and commercial sex may qualify as trafficking even when the child was not physically forced because a child cannot legally consent to sexual activity.
Contact a Human Trafficking Lawyer in Texas for Help
If you are a survivor of human trafficking, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm you’ve experienced from the perpetrators and others connected with the trafficking operation. The team at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs can help you pursue compensation for any physical, financial, and personal losses linked to the trafficking. We can also connect you to Houston human trafficking resources that may provide additional support during your recovery.
Contact us today for your free, fully confidential consultation and discuss your case with an experienced and compassionate Texas human trafficking attorney.
