Students Take to Stage to Reveal Houston's Big Problem

HOUSTON - A local student turned abolitionist is raising awareness about Houston's hidden problem, human trafficking, or modern day slavery.

Hannah Foshee wrote and directed a play put on by S.W.A.T., or Students Working Against Trafficking, at the University of St. Thomas.

"Sophie" feels murder is the only way out of the trade in Foshee's play, “Six Shots to Freedom”.

For months, the character, played by Foshee, was forced to sell herself for sex inside a Houston brothel.

"Guys go, they pay $50, and they get to have sex with a girl. That's not okay with me," said Foshee.

It only took Foshee an hour to write the play. She was inspired by a victim she met at a shelter a couple years ago.

"The man who kidnapped her would go back to her hometown and take pictures of her sister. He said, 'If you leave I'm going to go get so and so’," said Foshee.

The play took place inside Jones Hall on the school's campus. An audience was sucked in by carefully placed signs reminding people slavery still exists.

"It (the play) was a very vivid picture of what happens out there, which I don't think most girls out there realize actually happens to people," said Jennifer McNicoll, who attended the play.

"If it happens that much, more light should be shone upon how it happens actually," said Felipe DeLeon, who also watched the play.

It's impossible to know how many sex slaves are being controlled in Houston, but those in the fight say there's at least one victim trafficked on our streets every single night.

"I grew up in a very nice life, and I can't imagine having a daughter or a sister trapped in forced prostitution," said Foshee.

Less than one percent of victims are identified and rescued. That's why this play's end, with the woman getting the upper hand, is so unusual.

"I'm just trying to raise awareness so hopefully enough citizens will stand up and say we will not tolerate this," added Foshee.

The best thing you can do if you see a trafficking situation is to call the national hotline. That number is 1-888-3737-888.