Resource and Crisis Center highlights human trafficking prevention during January outreach

La Marque — In observance of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the Resource and Crisis Center of Galveston County joined the city’s Community Conversations program to explain local services and prevention efforts.

Cecily Henderson, executive director of the Resource and Crisis Center (RCC), said RCC’s mission is to “advocate and help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.” Henderson said RCC operates a 55‑bed shelter on Galveston Island and collaborates with law enforcement on victim referrals. “We work closely with La Marque Police Department and their safe city initiative. And every police officer in the county knows if they have somebody that needs to come to our shelter, we always have a bed available for them,” Henderson said.

Henderson described RCC’s local funding model: four resale stores support the shelter, including two stores on the island, a home store, a Broadway clothing store in Galveston, one in La Marque, and one in League City. The revenue from those stores “provide about $1,200,000 to help keep our shelter doors open and to help us in our efforts,” she said.

Henderson emphasized public education on how trafficking can occur, including labor trafficking and sex‑trafficking mechanisms such as “Romeo” or “boyfriend” recruitment and online grooming. “Human trafficking occurs when a trafficker exploits an individual with force, fraud, or coercion to make them perform commercial sex or work,” she said, citing the Centers for Disease Control’s definition.

Why it matters: RCC provides local shelter capacity, victim services and public education in Galveston County. Henderson urged residents to report suspected trafficking and said RCC can be reached through its website and social media for volunteer and support information.

What’s next: RCC will continue outreach in January with educational materials and encourage the public to “see something, say something.”