Phase 1 of the Reducing the Demand Campaign: Letters to Houston's Government Officials In October 2011, Free the Captives launched the "Reducing the Demand" Campaign as a way to curb sex trafficking in Houston. Free the Captives called on the public to mail in letters to Mayor Annise Parker, District
Attorney Pat Lykos, Sheriff Adrian Garcia, and Chief of Police Charles McClelland, Jr. asking
them to arrest the buyers and post their names and photos on the Internet, newspaper or billboards. |
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Mayor Parker letter.doc Size : 28.5 Kb Type : doc |
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DA Pat Lykos.doc Size : 29.5 Kb Type : doc |
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Chief of Police McClelland letter.doc Size : 28 Kb Type : doc |
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Sheriff Garcia letter.doc Size : 28 Kb Type : doc |
The Response to Phase 1 of the Reducing the Demand Campaign:
- Mayor Parker’s response
was basically, “Instead of arresting buyers, we will focus on the
landlords who are renting to the traffickers.” While focusing on the
landlords is important, this does very little to protect American girls
being trafficked in Houston. Landlords are renting out space for
brothels, massage parlors, and cantinas. The majority of trafficking
victims in these rented places are international women.
American girls are being trafficked in places that do
not require a landlord, like on the Internet, cheap motel rooms, and off
the street. Trafficking does not require a landlord, but it does
require a buyer. Therefore, city officials must start arresting the
buyers. The laws are on the books; they just need to be enforced.
Research shows that the buyers consider public exposure and jail time to
be effective deterrents to buying young girls and women for sex.
- Sheriff Adrian Garcia reported that in January 2012 that the Harris County Sheriff's Office conducted a reverse sting and arrested 8 buyers. Sheriff Garcia appreciates the public's concern about this issue and will continue to conduct reverse stings.
Free the Captives applauds Sheriff Garcia's responsiveness to the public's letters and his dedication towards fighting human trafficking by arresting the buyers.
