Human sex trafficking in Houston's spotlight - Houston weather, traffic, news | FOX 26 | MyFoxHouston

Human sex trafficking in Houston's spotlight

A Houston conference highlights the problem of human sex trafficking, along with some possible solutions.

The Bayou City is a major hub of domestic and international trafficking, which is believed to ensnare up to 300,000 American children.

Experts say girls are first caught up in the sex trade, on average, at the age of 13.

And while law enforcement has traditionally focused on freeing the victims and arresting the traffickers, there is a new effort here locally to go after the customers.

"There hasn't been very much done about the men who are fueling sex trafficking," explained Julie Waters with non-profit Free the Captives. "Because you need buyers in order for the girls to be sold."

Waters' group is hosting its third annual Human Trafficking Conference at Second Baptist Church.

The event continues on Saturday and you can find more information here:

http://www.freethecaptiveshouston.com/houston-anti-human-trafficking-conference.php