Human Trafficking: Warning Signs
In 2019, the Texas Legislature made combating human trafficking a top priority for the agency. TABC has the unparalleled ability to uncover criminal enterprises that use bars, clubs, restaurants and other businesses to hide their illegal activity.
In 2020, TABC coordinated with the Office of the Governor and non-profit organization A21 on their "Can You See Me?" campaign. We created wallet-sized Warning Signs cards for restaurant staff and delivery drivers, which followed the design of the broader campaign from A21. The cards are meant to be a convenient way to give industry staff tips on how to spot potential signs of human trafficking.
Since 2013, the agency has canceled the liquor permits of more than 130 businesses accused of engaging in organized crime, including human trafficking, narcotics trafficking and money laundering.
TABC also regularly posts about human trafficking on our social media accounts to raise awareness and help direct people to resources they can use to report and stop human trafficking. Below are two examples of graphics we designed as part of that campaign. Like most of our social graphics, we try to draw people in with dynamic art or color and highlight the most important information. We keep text on social graphics short and
eye-catching to stand out on social feeds.
eye-catching to stand out on social feeds.
Most recently, TABC created a brochure for victims of human trafficking. The brochure will help potential human trafficking survivors understand if, how and why they could be considered victims of trafficking, show the common indicators of human trafficking, and most importantly, help them understand their rights and resources.
The brochure is packed with information, but language was kept clear and concise so that a wide audience could understand and use the information. A couple sections were purposely broken out from the rest of the design — such as Your Rights — to highlight this important topic. The TABC's Role flowchart graphic is a helpful tool to show how and why our agency is vital to human trafficking investigations.
TABC is on the forefront of fighting human trafficking in the state of Texas. These are just a few examples of the materials and communications we've produced as part of our human trafficking warning signs campaign. We're always trying to raise awareness and direct industry staff, members of the public and potential victims toward resources to report and stop human trafficking.
