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Human Trafficking Awareness 2025

Human Trafficking Awareness 2025

The month of January serves as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Governor Abbott has proclaimed January 2025 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month. During this month, advocates, organizations, and individuals unite to raise awareness about this very important issue. According to the Department of Homeland Security, human trafficking is “modern-day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.” Human trafficking is not the same as human smuggling, which involves the illegal transportation of a person across a border. Victims of human trafficking are of all genders, ages, races, countries, socioeconomic statuses, and so on. While human trafficking can happen to anyone, people who are already in vulnerable situations – such as people experiencing homelessness – may be more likely to be targeted.

Human trafficking is often thought to be an international issue, however, this crime exists in all fifty states within the United States. Human trafficking has become the second-largest criminal activity/industry in the US and generates billions of dollars in illegal profits annually. According to the Human Trafficking Institute, 22,326 people were identified as victims or survivors of human trafficking. In addition to this, The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported that over 11,500 human trafficking cases were reported in the U.S. Approximately 1,080 of these cases were reported from within Texas. It is crucial to continue to be proactive and increase our partnerships and collaborations with organizations or governmental entities locally and throughout our nation to stop this activity and bring awareness to this issue.

In order to prevent human trafficking, we must expand our knowledge of the issue.  Understanding what human trafficking is and how to recognize it is essential.  Some resources to review are the Polaris Project https://polarisproject.org/human-trafficking and the Blue Campaign https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign. To research statistics and other facts about human trafficking in Texas, visit the Texas Human Trafficking Task Force Reports https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/initiatives/human-trafficking.

The Texas Legislature continues to work diligently to introduce legislation to combat this industry. For this reason, the current anti-human trafficking laws were reviewed and revised throughout the most recent Legislative Session to ensure the prosecution of these criminals continues and stops others from being involved in these activities. The goal is to create laws that stop, prevent, and end the human trafficking epidemic.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office.  Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

 Rep. Hunter represents Nueces County (Part).  He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672

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Cheri represented us on the purchase and close of our home to an area we were new to. She was very knowledgable and helped us to get settled along the way. Pleasure to work with! Very well respected in her field of work.~ Koena T.
Coastline Properties is a very qualified Real Estate Agency in Corpus Christi, TX. They have great knowledge of the market, are proficient and very personable. I Have recommended several clients to them with like results.~ John L. Sullivan
Recently I asked my 10 closest friends who they would vote for as North Padre Island''s top Realtor; emphatically every single one of them came back and said "Cheri Sperling." This is why I trust Coastline Properties for all my real estate transactions.~ Alex K.
Absolute Best Corpus Christi Realtor!! Cheri Sperling from Coastline Properties came to our rescue, and we finalized the deal that closed on 04/09/12. Her impeccable communication skills helped us to truly create a win/win transaction. Her patience, commitment to people’s feelings and knowledge of Real Estate Law make her an outstanding Realtor. After dealing with a horrible Commercial Realtor trying to sell our business building that just wasn't going anywhere. We called Cheri, today I feel so blessed with the deal that she helped us negotiate. Thank You for everything Cheri....you are THE BEST!~ Astoria Properties, LLC
It is with our utmost privilege we endorse Coastline Properties! We have known Cheri Sperling for at least 15+ years. As a real estate professional and dear mutual friend! Thanks to Cheri we have been avoided many costly mistakes, in connection with the various houses she has shown us over the years. Her expertise and valuable advice, has prevented us numerous unnecessary expenses that could have had traumatic lasting affects!~ William & Norma Twijnstra
In the 37 years that I have lived in Corpus Christi, I have been involved in the purchase or sale of Real Estate 16 times. In the last three, my wife and I have been represented by Cheri Sperling of Coastline Properties. I highly recommend Cheri Sperling and feel she is the finest realtor I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. She is knowledgeable, honest, energetic and dependable. Not only does Cheri know all of the ins and outs of the local real estate market and the applicable rules and regulations, she is willing to always go the extra mile to make the deal work and take the burden off of her client in the process. If I ever find myself in another real estate transaction in the future, I will make every effort to have Cheri Sperling represent me.~ Michael O’Reilly, P.C.
Cheri, Thank You for visiting with me this morning. I learn much from you. It is always so pleasant to walk into Coastline as I am always warmly greeted, the office is very inviting and full of helpful information for your clients. I am grateful for you putting 14318 Caribe Dr. on your calendar for October 9. I am excited about you and the agents seeing every nook and cranny that this amazing home has to offer.Have a great weekend..~ Mary Melick Real Estate
Cheri, We will always have fond memories of our time in Corpus Christi and our relocation experience because of you. You have done an outstanding job not only in buying and selling our house but throughout the entire relocation process creating a seamless transition. If we ever return to the Corpus Christi area, we know who to call. Thank you so much!~ Ken, Padre Islander
Thanks to Tara Gallaspy for doing such a great job on our recent home sale! It was nice to leave the job in such a capable person's hands and not have to worry about the myriad of details that take place in order to finalize a sale. Our house had a contract one week from listing, and the closing went off early without a hitch. Tara also went above and beyond between those two events. I would never hesitate to recommend her to a friend.~ Shannon Trial, Padre Islander