RESOURCES

Help Is Here

If you or someone you know may be at risk or needs immediate help or support, trusted resources are listed below, including support for exploitation victims, survivors, and access to services.

IF YOU NEED HELP RIGHT NOW

National Human Trafficking Hotline

Available 24/7, in more than 200 languages. TTY: 711. Confidential — nothing you share is used to identify or report you without your consent.

FOR CONCERNED FAMILY, FRIENDS & COMMUNITY

Warning Signs

● Sudden changes in behavior, secrecy, or an unexplained new relationship

● Signs of grooming (excessive gifts, an older "boyfriend/girlfriend," pressure to keep secrets)

● Unexplained absences or being controlled by someone else's phone, ID, or schedule

● Fear or submissive behavior around a particular person

● Signs of physical abuse, malnourishment, or exhaustion without explanation

DID YOU KNOW

The Law Changed

IT IS NOW A FELONY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS TO PURCHASE SEX.

Soliciting prostitution is illegal because it fuels exploitation, human trafficking, and violence, and undermines the safety and dignity of individuals and communities.

In Texas, the law treats the purchase of sex as a criminal act regardless of age or consent. This is because:

1. It drives demand for trafficking. The majority of those trafficked for sex are exploited to meet buyer demand. Making solicitation a felony aims to curb that demand.

2. It exploits vulnerability. Many who are sold in prostitution are victims of abuse, coercion, addiction, or poverty. Criminalizing buyers helps shift accountability away from victims and toward those funding the system.

3. It's a public safety and moral issue. Lawmakers consider commercial sex inherently tied to organized crime, drugs, and violence. Enforcement is intended to reduce related criminal activity and protect communities.

4. It aligns with anti-trafficking policy. Texas became the first state to elevate buying sex to a felony under House Bill 1540, effective September 1, 2021, amending Texas Penal Code §43.021.

What Is Soliciting Prostitution?

In Texas, solicitation of prostitution means knowingly offering or agreeing to pay for sexual conduct. Money does not have to change hands. An arrest can be made based on intent alone.

Examples of evidence used to show intent include:

• Having a sex worker enter your car

• Driving to a prearranged location where paid sex is expected

• Withdrawing cash from an ATM immediately before the meet

• Stating or agreeing to exchange sex for money

Freedom Collaborative is committed to making sure this information is known, understood, and taken seriously.

Human trafficking and exploitation increase during large-scale events. Education is prevention. Awareness saves lives. Our mission is to educate, equip, and protect by sharing the truth, connecting people to resources, and standing for those who cannot speak for themselves — led by faith and a commitment to defend and restore lives with purpose and compassion.

This is about accountability.
This is about safety.
This is about protecting our community.

Find Support

You are not alone. Trusted resources are listed below, including support for exploitation victims, sex buyers, and access to medical services.

HOTLINES & CRISIS RESPONSE

Exists to rescue, revive, and empower the sexually exploited through a 24/7 Rescue hotline and emergency response.

Serves: Exploitation victims, primarily females.

Immediate, flexible, relationship-focused services 365 days a year, 24/7, for domestic and foreign-born survivors of all forms of trafficking — in-field response, case management, long-term mentorship.

Serves: All.

Support is provided in more than 200 languages. We are here to listen and connect you with the help you need to stay safe.

Serves: All

Phone: 1-888-373-7888

or text “help” to BEFREE (233733)

REPORT A CRIME

Tip line program: Crime Stoppers uses your help in solving crime in Houston TX. We accept anonymous tips from the community in regard to unsolved crime, fugitives and ongoing criminal activity. You are able to submit tips over the phone, through our mobile app or online via our website.

Serves: All

Phone: 713-222-8477 (TIPS)

DOMESTIC & SEXUAL VIOLENCE - SHELTER, LEGAL & HOTLINE

HAWC provides safety and comprehensive, life-saving services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, empowering individuals, families, and communities to transform trauma, achieve independence, and stop abuse before it happens.

Serves: Women, children and families affected by domestic and sexual violence.

Domestic Violence Hotline: 713-528-2121

Sexual Assault Hotline: 713-528-RAPE (7273)

YOUTH & FAMILY SHELTER

Covenant House Texas is a faith-based organization committed to giving homeless youth a safe haven, absolute respect, unconditional love, and a path to lasting independence. In partnership with the community, we are the voice for homeless youth.

Serves: Abused and abandoned youth ages 18 – 24

The Mission of Yahweh is a faith-based shelter that empowers, enriches and restores the lives of homeless women and children, and provides outreach services to communities in need, since 1961.

Serves: Homeless women and their children

BUYER ACCOUNTABILITY & REDUCTION

Works to reduce buyer demand that drives sex trafficking.

Serves: Men and youth.

MEDICAL CARE

Provides healing through quality healthcare and education, with respect and compassion, for those with limited access to care.

Serves: All.

VICTIM & SURVIVOR SERVICES

Nissi’s Network, Inc. is a network of survivor’s and professionals who work together for youth reform and to create crime reduction solutions to end adultification and human trafficking amongst our youth by teaching them how to become prevention experts. Our mission is to provide holistic support and undisputed marketplace leadership for the children of pimps, prostitutes and victims of human trafficking so that they can have an opportunity to lead healthy and successful lives.

Serves: Exploited women and their children

The CAC aims to provide all of the services children and families need in one place.  Within our building, we provide forensic interviewing, family advocacy, mental health services, medical exams, and children’s court services at no cost to our clients.  Our hope is that our process will provide children and families with the tools necessary to help them on their journey to heal from abuse.

Serves: Children and Families

Our mission is to serve survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation with a trauma-informed approach fueled by the love of Christ.

Serves: Exploited women and children

Veterans that are victims or survivors of sex trafficking. The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) provides critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom.

Serves: Veterans and human trafficking victims/ survivors

Restorative Care Program

Serves: Females of human trafficking

Looking for Ongoing Community?

Beyond Survival is a faith-based peer support group for female survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault — a space to heal alongside others who understand.

Freedom Collaborative is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. EIN: 39-3845039  •   ECFA Accredited

Copyright 2026. Redeemed Houston. All Rights Reserved.