Rotary Club of Lake Conroe "Human Sex Trafficking in Houston" 1-16-14

 Although the Rotary Club of Lake Conroe meets very early in the morning, our members quickly wake up with wonderful food (thanks to Chef Rick at Walden Yacht Club), wonderful fellowship (thanks to the great 50 or so Rotarians in our club) and wonderful and inspiring programs (thanks to speakers such as RICHARD BLOOM, who educated us recently on sex trafficking.)  Richard is President of Human Sex Trafficking Educational Foundation, whose mission is "To provide awareness programs and educational events to create an awareness of the existence of and damage being done by the Human Sex Trafficking industry." At our meeting, Richard explained that Human Sex Trafficking is a multi billion dollar business and that Houston is the 2nd largest trafficking area in America.  In addition, the buying and selling of people is the second largest criminal enterprise in the world, second only to drug trafficking.  Unfortunately, this industry is not just "someplace else" as it is estimated that 200,000 American Teens are at risk each year and that statistically three out of four teens that run away from home will be forced into the Sex Trafficking business within three weeks.  The goal of HSTEF.org is to schedule presentations to organizations in our area to "educate them on the reality of this horrific industry."  ...Marie Underdown