SAN ANTONIO -- Texas has received a "B" grade when it comes to laws and penalties against human trafficking.
Shared Hope International released the grades Thursday. The organization, which works to prevent, rescue, and restore women and children in crisis, did the research after pressing state leaders to set laws in place to protect child victims. Advocates say like all other states, Texas has work to do on protecting victims and prosecuting traffickers to get an "A."
“Is the child treated like a victim? Do they get services? When they go into the system, are they arrested or treated like a child in need of protection?” asked Shared Hope International Founder Linda Smith.
Only 4 states, including Texas, received a “B” grade. There are still 10 states in the U.S. without sex trafficking laws and another 26 states received failing grades in the study.
