Trafficking

Youth experiencing homelessness face some of the highest risks of exploitation, with research from The University of Texas at Austin estimating that at least 79,000 youth in Texas have already been victims of sex trafficking. Due to the instability of out-of-home placements, youth in the child welfare system are often targeted by traffickers who prey on their lack of support and security. Additionally, factors like poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, neglect, physical and sexual abuse, and involvement in the juvenile justice system make these youth even more susceptible to exploitation. 80% of youth enrolled at the Basin Dream Center have experienced the trauma of human trafficking, with the belief that close to 90% have some sort of past trafficking experience.