Rotarians Unite Against Child Sex Trafficking

Come join us as Rotary participates in Houston Airports’ Human Trafficking Awareness Event, 14 April, 9:30 AM at the The Wortham Center. As part of a recently approved Anti-Child Sex Trafficking Global Grant, Rotary will be debuting a new Social Media video citing the signs, signals, and threats to our children by Cartel-driven Sex Traffickers in Harris and surrounding counties.

In response to the growing need for sustained, coordinated action, local and international Rotarians have funded a multi-year regional initiative to reduce child sex trafficking across Harris County and surrounding communities. Key components of this initiative are education, awareness, and coordinated community action to strengthen prevention efforts, improved identification of the vulnerable and perpetrators, and supporting long-term solutions that protect children and disrupt exploitation.

The event will open at 9:30 a.m., giving attendees time to connect with partners and explore on-site resources. At 10:00 a.m., participants will hear a press conference led by city leaders, highlighting the scope of human trafficking in our region, current efforts underway, and the shared responsibility to protect children and vulnerable populations.

At 10:45 a.m., the program will continue with a panel discussion featuring experts from law enforcement, healthcare, and victim service providers, moderated by Rhonda Kuykendall, MSW, a Rotarian and member of the Texas Human Trafficking Survivor Leader Council. Panelists will discuss what trafficking looks like in real-world settings, what professionals and community members often miss, and how coordinated, trauma-informed responses can interrupt exploitation while supporting victim healing and recovery.

Attendees can engage with a walkthrough exhibit by redM and HPE Avatar, offering an immersive look at how traffickers operate and how awareness, technology, and community vigilance can be leveraged to prevent it. Advocacy and educational resources will be available throughout the event, and a light lunch will be provided. This event is free and registration can be made by imaging the QR Code below.

Together, Rotarians and community partners can play a critical role in recognizing exploitation, strengthening safeguards, and ensuring that children are seen, protected, and supported. Let’s demonstrate Rotary’s powerful commitment to this mission by having a large presence on 14 April.