Throughout January, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is encouraging Texans to remain vigilant and informed about the dangers of human trafficking as part of Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
“Protecting vulnerable Texans starts with all of us paying attention and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right,” said DPS Criminal Investigations Division Chief Floyd Goodwin. “It is always better to report a concern and have it turn out to be nothing than to stay silent and miss a critical chance to intervene. When Texans trust their instincts and share what they see, they help save lives and stop traffickers in their tracks.”
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion for labor exploitation or commercial sex acts, or any commercial sex act involving a minor under the age of 18. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, and occurs every day in every state—often going unnoticed by communities.
DPS oversees the state’s human trafficking enforcement efforts. Through its Human Trafficking Program, special agents within the department’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies in Texas and beyond to identify, investigate, disrupt, and dismantle major human trafficking organizations.
DPS Special Agents utilize a victim-centered approach that places equal importance on identifying, recovering, protecting, and stabilizing victims, alongside the investigation and prosecution of traffickers. From Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2025, DPS Special Agents recovered 119 human trafficking victims and arrested an additional 690 suspects on human trafficking-related charges.
Public awareness plays a critical role in preventing and combating human trafficking, as many operations are disguised as legitimate businesses in plain sight. Traffickers often target vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, juvenile runaways, people with a history of substance abuse, those from abusive or unstable home environments, individuals with language barriers, or those who may avoid contact with law enforcement.
DPS urges Texans to stay alert and watch for potential indicators of human trafficking, which may include:
- A person appearing to be under the control of another, either physically (someone controlling their identification, money, or phone) or psychologically (avoiding eye contact, unable to speak for themselves, or unable to make simple decisions).
- A lack of awareness about their surroundings or destination.
- Untreated illnesses, visible injuries, malnourishment, or signs of sleep deprivation.
- Clothing that is inappropriate for the weather, environment, or age.
- Being transported to and from work by an employer.
- Living at their workplace or working excessively long or unusual hours.
- Workplaces with unusual or excessive security measures, such as boarded windows, opaque glass, or numerous security cameras.
While the presence of one indicator does not confirm human trafficking, a combination of indicators in context may signal trafficking and should be reported to law enforcement.
If you suspect human trafficking, call 911 immediately and provide as many details as possible. Tips can also be submitted through iWatchTexas, or by contacting the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting “BeFree” to 233733.
DPS reminds the public not to intervene directly or confront suspected traffickers, as doing so could endanger yourself or others.
