The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) has named the Borders, Trade and Immigration (BTI) Institute led by the University of Houston as a new CCHT Center of Excellence to Counter Human Trafficking.
The announcement of the new Center of Excellence was made at the start of the 2nd Annual Conference to Combat Human Trafficking: Research and Technology held in Houston and hosted by the BTI Institute with the Center for Immigration Studies.
As a Center of Excellence, the BTI Institute will partner with DHS and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and address research gaps across various facets of human trafficking, to include sex trafficking, labor trafficking and forced labor in the supply chain.
The new Center for Excellence will work with the CCHT and researchers from other institutions of higher education to produce solution-based results to help law enforcement and allied partners more effectively counter these crimes, identify and protect victims and hold offenders accountable. Its research will incorporate survivors’ engagement and input.
Human trafficking is a crime of exploitation, to include sex trafficking and various forms of forced labor. It has created a criminal enterprise exploiting 27 million people worldwide.
“The BTI Institute’s designation as a Center of Excellence to Counter Human Trafficking will lead to increased awareness of human trafficking in the Greater Houston community, the State of Texas, and in our nation,” said BTI Director Craig Glennie. “Our mission will support and help synergize efforts of law enforcement, the private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations in detecting and eradicating this scourge. Along with our network of partners across the country, our research and analysis will be used to help provide the tools, information and resources necessary to counter this criminal industry.”
See Something, Say Something!
Anyone with information regarding human trafficking or child exploitation is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has a nationwide tipline that members of the public can call to report what they know. You can reach HSI at 866-347-2423. The HSI tipline is manned 24 hours a day.