Human Trafficking

Rescue Alliance (HTRA)

Houston’s Success

Panel PresentationTexas Abolitionist Workshop

September 24, 2011Houston, Texas

How to Bring Non-Governmental Organizations and Law Enforcement

Agencies Together

NGO

LEA

Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA)

Formed August 2004

HTRA Mission Statement

The Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA) is a collaboration of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies working together with area social service organizations to identify and assist the victims of human trafficking and to effectively identify, apprehend and prosecute those engaged in trafficking offenses.

HTRA Structure

Chaired by the U.S. Attorney’s OfficeMeets quarterlyMembers

•Catholic Charities•Harris County Attorney’s Office•Harris County District Attorney’s Office•Harris County Sheriff’s Office•Houston City Attorney’s Office•Houston Police Department•Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition•Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission•Texas Attorney General’s Office•Texas Department of Public Safety

HTRA

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security•Immigration and Customs Enforcement•Customs and Border Protection•U.S. Coast Guard

•U.S. Department of Health and Human Services•U.S. Department of Justice

•Federal Bureau of Investigation•U.S. Attorney’s Office

•U.S. Department of Labor•Office of the Inspector General•Wage and Hour Division

•U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service•U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service•YMCA International Services

HTRA (continued)

Law Enforcement Component

Victim Services Component

Core Training Group

Tools for Success

Collaboration/Coordination

Compassion

Communication

Commitment

Creativity

Cases

== Convictions

Cases - Houston Statistics

Since the inception of the HTRA in 2004:

•189 individuals have been identified as potential human trafficking victims

•33 defendants have been charged with federal human trafficking related offenses

•4,300 local, state and federal law enforcement officers and social service providers have been trained

Houston’s SuccessHTRA

Law Enforcement, Non-Governmental Organizations and Community

Questions