Human trafficking is a global problem. Each day, vulnerable populations are shuttled between and within countries and forced into labor or illegal activities.

In the United States, law enforcement agencies and activists are vigilant in their efforts to identify and stop traffickers. In other nations, the responses from police and community members can be quite different.

A recent University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) class project examined human trafficking responses around the globe and presented its findings on 12 posters (each focused on a specific country). These works will be showcased at Houston’s A 2^nd Cup Coffee Shop (1111 E. 11^th St.) during the Sip & Stroll event on April 24.

The posters will be on view from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and student researchers (from Dr. Rebecca Pfeffer’s Human Trafficking class) will be on hand to answer questions and discuss their findings.

“In some countries, the exploitation of people is normalized because of socioeconomic and political factors,” said Pfeffer, assistant professor of Criminal Justice. “When you get all of these posters in one room, people can better understand how human trafficking is defined in other areas of the world.”

In Thailand, for example, cultural factors and governmental corruption have normalized prostitution and other practices that contribute to trafficking, Pfeffer noted. And in Japan, the country’s criminal code does not prohibit all forms of trafficking, so law enforcement agencies must rely on enforcing other laws to prosecute traffickers.

The Sip & Stroll event is free and open to the public and was made possible by a grant from UHD’s College of Public Service. Coffee and refreshments will be provided.

A 2^nd Cup is a 501(c)(3) federal non-profit nonprofit coffee shop with the mission of raising awareness of human trafficking in Houston and to develop resources to support trafficking survivors.