About Texas Businesses Against Trafficking
Texas Businesses Against Trafficking (TBAT) is a statewide coalition of corporations, small businesses, and industry associations committed to preventing human trafficking and supporting survivors. Founded in 2014, TBAT brings together leaders from hospitality, transportation, agriculture, retail, and technology to share best practices, develop training, and advocate for policies that protect vulnerable populations.
The coalition operates under a simple premise: the private sector has unique access to the places where trafficking often occurshotels, freight yards, farms, and restaurants. By educating employees, strengthening internal controls, and partnering with lawenforcement and nonprofit groups, businesses can become a powerful line of defense.
Why It Matters in Texas
Texas is a hub for national and international travel, agricultural production, and energy extraction. Its geographybordering Mexico, a long coastline, and a dense network of highwaysmakes it a target for traffickers seeking to move victims across state lines and into the United States.
- High Volume of Travel: More than 300 million airline passengers pass through Texas airports each year.
- Extensive Freight Corridors: Interstate highways I35, I10, and I45 handle millions of truck trips annually.
- Agricultural Workforce: Seasonal labor in fields and packing houses often includes undocumented workers who are vulnerable to exploitation.
- Tourism Economy: Hotels, motels, and shortterm rentals provide venues where traffickers can hide victims.
These factors, combined with a growing demand for cheap labor and commercial sex, have placed Texas near the top of the nations trafficking hotspot maps. Business engagement is therefore essential to reduce the opportunities traffickers exploit.
How Companies Can Help
TBAT outlines five practical pathways for businesses of any size to contribute to the fight against trafficking.
- Training & Awareness
Deliver mandatory training for frontline staffreceptionists, drivers, supervisorson recognizing the signs of trafficking. TBAT offers a free, online curriculum that can be customized to industry specifics.
- Policies & Protocols
Adopt clear antitrafficking policies that outline reporting procedures, protect whistleblowers, and define disciplinary actions for employees who facilitate or ignore trafficking.
- SupplyChain Due Diligence
Integrate trafficking risk assessments into vendor selection. Request certifications, conduct site visits, and require partners to sign antitrafficking agreements.
- Community Partnerships
Collaborate with local NGOs, shelters, and lawenforcement task forces. Sponsorships, volunteer hours, and joint awareness campaigns amplify impact.
- Advocacy & Funding
Support legislation that strengthens victim services and increases penalties for traffickers. Donate to statewide hotlines such as Texas Human Trafficking Hotline.
Tip: Even a single hour of staff training each year can raise the likelihood of spotting a victim by more than 30%.
Resources for Texas Businesses
Join the Movement
If your company is ready to make a difference, start by completing the threestep signup below.
- Register Fill out the short online form to become a TBAT member.
- Commit Choose a training package and set a timeline for policy rollout.
- Engage Participate in quarterly webinars, share your progress, and receive a badge for your website.
