Child Trafficking & Exploitation
35,000+ Texas children attend public schools that are within 1,000 feet of a suspected illegal massage business
CHILDREN AT RISK is committed to strengthening laws and policies on human trafficking and improving the response to children who have been commercially sexually exploited.
Center to End the Trafficking & Exploitation of Children (CETEC)
CHILDREN AT RISK’s Center to End the Trafficking & Exploitation of Children aims to improve public policies in order to
- Prevent instances of human trafficking
- Protect victims and support human trafficking survivors
- Increase the prosecution of traffickers and buyers
The Center to End the Trafficking and Exploitation of Children, the only center of its kind in Texas, was established to combat trafficking in Texas. CETEC works to: educate the community through training, presentations, publications, media outreach, and an annual summit; engage in legal research, study trafficking trends, and explore best practices; collaborate with organizations on the front lines to determine community needs; and provide resources for public officials and draft and support positive legislative change.
Featured Resources
Our Latest Human Trafficking Research & Resources
2024 Latino Child Health Initiative Report
In Texas, almost half of the population of children under the age of 18 are Latino, yet there has not been a concerted effort to address the particular health issues facing this population. Latinos account for 48% of the population in Harris County Precinct 2 and are...
2024 C@R Special Events
Special Eventsconvening for change Every dollar donated helps us improve the lives of Texas children. CHILDREN AT RISK is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN: 76-0360533). Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. It is with immense...
2023 Annual Report
It is with immense pride and joy that we announce the start of a significant milestone: the 35th Anniversary of CHILDREN AT RISK. For over three decades, our organization has been at the forefront of advocating for the well-being and rights of vulnerable children,...
2024 C@R Learning Events
Learning Eventsconvening for change CHILDREN AT RISK is committed to hosting free events that engage the public and help them drive change for children. We aim to share research, unpack pressing policy issues, and highlight diverse community perspectives from across...
How did Children Fare in the 88th Texas Legislative Session?
Over the 140 days of the 2023 Regular Texas Legislative Session, approximately 11,800 bills were filed, and 4,550 passed. CHILDREN AT RISK showed up strong, registering support for bills 79 times, and providing expert testimony on legislation 29 times. In addition to...
CHILDREN AT RISK Releases 2022 Annual Report
2022 was a year of huge growth for CHILDREN AT RISK, both in our work and as an agency! In addition to our main office in Houston, we are proud to report C@R now has multiple staff members based in North Texas, Central Texas, and El Paso. Having this statewide...
C@R Leads Learning Tour in Mexico City
In May, CHILDREN AT RISK hosted 20 guests in Mexico City for a human trafficking and immigration learning tour. The group spent a busy 4 days visiting with local organizations, touring cultural sites, and (of course) enjoying the food! The trip focused on exploring...
Illicit Massage Business Toolkit
Illicit Massage Businesses (IMBs) use the cover of a legitimate service to engage in prostitution and often human trafficking by using force, fraud or coercion to compel the women working there to provide sexual services to the buyers who patronize these places. IMBs...
Economic Empowerment: A Path to Recovery for Survivors of Human Trafficking
By Lauren BiegelDiscussions around human trafficking are often focused on identifying victims and punishing their traffickers. Unfortunately, removing a victim from the situation in which they are being exploited is far from the end of the road to recovery and...
Accountability for Buyers in the Commercial Sex Market | Brief
Texas House Bill 1540 went into effect this September. The bill is a key component of the 'Texas Model' to combat commercial sex - and its associated harms including the fueling of sex trafficking - through strengthening buyer accountability. The bill makes...
C@R Honors Child Advocates & Anti-Trafficking Leaders at North Texas Luncheon
On September 23rd, 2021, CHILDREN AT RISK celebrated North Texas and honored local leaders working to end human trafficking and child exploitation with our first ever Speaking Up + Speaking Out Luncheon. North Texas community leaders, advocates, and trafficking...
Edward & Margaret Marsh Foundation Awards Grant for CEASE El Paso
CHILDREN AT RISK was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Edward N. and Margaret G. Marsh Foundation to help fund the nonprofit’s Center to End the Trafficking and Exploitation of Children and expand the Cities Empowered Against Sexual Exploitation in El Paso.