Officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety are asking members of the public to report human trafficking, as January marks “National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.”
Texas DPS officials asked residents to report potential human trafficking, pointing to red flags that could suggest someone is in danger.
From September to August 2025, Texas DPS special agents arrested 690 trafficking suspects and rescued 119 victims across the state.
“Protecting vulnerable Texans starts with all of us paying attention and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right,” said Criminal Investigations Division Chief Floyd Goodwin in a press release.
If Texans see signs of human trafficking, they should call 911 immediately and report as many details as possible. They can also report it online through iWatchTexas or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or text “BeFree” to 233733.
Officials reminded residents not to confront a potential trafficking suspect.
“When Texans trust their instincts and share what they see, they help save lives and stop traffickers in their tracks,” Goodwin said. “It is always better to report a concern and have it turn out to be nothing than to stay silent and miss a critical chance to intervene.”
Human trafficking is “force, fraud or coercion in any type of labor exploitation or commercial sex act – or when an individual under the age of 18 is involved in commercial sex,” according to the release.
This can happen to anyone, anywhere, and often goes unnoticed.
Texas DPS officials provided numerous indicators of human trafficking. While this does not confirm trafficking is taking place, a combination of factors can suggest it.
- If a person is “under the control of another person,” either physically – by controlling their possessions, or psychologically – with victims showing little eye contact, unable to speak for themselves, or unable to make simple decisions without approval.
- If they have “little to no awareness of their surroundings,” like where they are or where they are going.
- If they have an untreated illness, visible injuries, or appear malnourished or sleep-deprived.
- If they are wearing inappropriate clothing for their age or the weather, or if it makes them seem older.
- If their employer is transporting them to and from work.
- If they live where they work, or work “excessively long or unusual hours.”
- If their workplace has “unusual or excessive” security measures for that kind of business, like boarded or opaque windows or excessive security cameras.
Texas DPS officials said public awareness is crucial for preventing human trafficking, with operations often using a legitimate business in an obvious area as a front.
“Traffickers tend to prey on the vulnerabilities of high-risk populations, like those experiencing homelessness, juvenile runaways, historical or active drug users, individuals with difficult or abusive home lives and individuals with language barriers or a reason to want to avoid law enforcement personnel,” the release reads.
Texas DPS special agents use a “victim-centered approach” to fight human trafficking – finding, rescuing, and safety and stabilizing victims while investigating and prosecuting traffickers. The agency’s human trafficking program works with the criminal division to find, investigate, disrupt, and dismantle human trafficking networks.
Officers with the Prosper Police Department busted the Nami Massage Spa in September 2025 for “aggravated promotion of prostitution” under the guise of a business, as The Dallas Express reported at the time.
Officials also closed the “Tao Spa” in Denton in 2024 for suspected human trafficking, as The Dallas Express also reported. The same year, Plano sued the Red Rose Spa for human trafficking – including the “sale of young girls.”
