Courageous Conversations: Human Trafficking in Houston

It may seem like something that solely happens in horror movies, but it’s actually happening in our neighborhoods: Houston leads the nation in human-trafficking cases. To bring more awareness to this very real issue, The Buzz Magazines and Crime Stoppers of Houston co-hosted our second Courageous Conversations luncheon. Approximately 40 gathered at Tony’s to listen to a powerful panel of experts in the field of human trafficking - Kelly Litvak, John Clark and Jennifer Hohman – in an intimate setting. Kelly Litvak, the founder and executive director of Childproof America, urges parents to learn how to protect children from human trafficking. It’s not about scaring children, she said, but about getting in front of this issue.

Panelists (from left) John Clark, Jennifer Hohman and Kelly Litvak are all experts and anti-human trafficking advocates. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar) 

“It’s ugly.” she said, “It’s one of society’s most painful realities, but it is our reality today.” Childproof America pursues education for teachers, parents and children across Texas to make sure that kids are safe in schools. She said that no communities are immune from this issue. The age that’s most targeted, she said, are kids ages 12-14, so she suggests that parents begin talking to kids about the issue when they’re around 11. “We, in our community, have the power to use our influence to take Houston out of the number one spot for human trafficking,” Kelly said. Similarly, John Clark, the Chief Commercial Officer of Stupp Corporation, said that because the stereotypes about human trafficking don’t typically “match our self-image,” we tend to place the issue as a lower priority. “I’m here to tell you the stereotypes are wrong,” he said.

Buzz editor Joni Hoffman and Rania Mankarious, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Houston, welcoming the crowd to the Courageous Conversations luncheon. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar) 

John is working to raise awareness about sex trafficking, to promote legislation that will better protect victims, rescue children being trafficked and to develop support, treatment and healing solutions for survivors. “Sex trafficking is in every segment of our society,” he said. “I want to change your perspective, so you reprioritize this issue.” Jennifer Hohman, the Director of Information Technology at a company in the oil and gas industry, is also working to help society prioritize this issue. After hearing that multiple people she knew had daughters who went missing (and ultimately found that they’d been trafficked), she took action. Jennifer, who admits she’s “known for a bit of rebel raising,” is a community leader advocating for victims and survivors. She’s determined for this movement to be “the next MADD {Mothers Against Drunk Driving}.” “Our kids Uber when they drink these days,” she said. “This {the anti-human trafficking movement} has to have that kind of influence.”

Jill Talisman and Lindsay Aronstein (Photo: Dylan Aguilar) 

Jennifer has helped bring together leading philanthropists around Houston to “rise up” and bring awareness and resources regarding prevention, intervention and recovery. Thank you again to our incredible panelists for sharing their stories and thank you to Crime Stoppers of Houston for collaborating with us on this powerful event. See more from Crime Stoppers of Houston in Rania Mankarious’ weekly blog on our site, Sunday Mornings with Rania. Call 713-222-TIPS anonymously anytime. To read more about human trafficking, particularly in our city, see: Human Trafficking: It happens in Houston by Cheryl Ursin  Human-trafficking facts by Rania Mankarious  Sunday Mornings with Rania: Runaways or Lured Away? by Rania Mankarious  Resources:

• Childproof America: Empowers families in the battle against sex trafficking; educates, equips and supports parents in protecting children 
• Operation Texas Shield: Leading the development of anti-trafficking legislation
• Anti-Trafficking Alliance: Provides location and recovery services for trafficking victims
• The Refuge for DMST: A residential treatment facility for domestic minor and young adult survivors of sex trafficking offering long-term services
• FightForUs: Influencers around Houston gathering to bring awareness to human trafficking. 
• Free the Captives: A faith-based nonprofit fighting teenaged sex trafficking in Houston. 

Read about our first Courageous Conversations luncheon with panelists Gail Stalarow, Cabrina Owsley and Maureen Wittels.