Personal safety

A list of steps to increase safety and guidelines to follow for safety.

Shelters to help families escaping abuse.

Freedom from harm or injury.

Taking steps to protect yourself from harm.

Houston gangs are linked to various criminal activities, including arson, assault, burglary, theft, forgery, kidnapping, robbery, sexual assault, drug trafficking, and murder.

Crimes such as arson, assault, burglary, theft, and more are commonly associated with gangs.

Gang members may face harsher penalties for similar crimes compared to non-gang members.

Crimes like robbery, assault, and murder are frequently committed by gangs.

Gang activity often involves the trafficking of drugs.

Always treat a gun as if it is loaded, even if you know it's not.

Store guns unloaded, locked, and separately from ammunition.

Always cut away from your body, with the blade facing away from you.

Store knives in a secure location where they are out of reach of children and properly sheathed.

Store pepper spray out of reach of children and always spray AWAY from yourself.

A form of modern-day slavery where people are forced to work without pay, often through threats or coercion.

A form of modern-day slavery where people are forced into commercial sex acts, often through violence, deception, or coercion.

Any sexual activity that involves exchange of money or other forms of payment.

Human trafficking can affect individuals of all ages, nationalities, and genders, impacting their physical and mental well-being.

Human trafficking is often carried out through force, fraud, or coercion, meaning people are tricked, threatened, or manipulated into situations where they are exploited.

A person who has been trafficked may show signs of physical or emotional abuse, low self-esteem, malnutrition, untreated medical problems, living in poor conditions, acting like they're being controlled, being closely watched, having few belongings, struggling to make decisions, and distrusting authority.

One method of human trafficking is seduction or romance, where a trafficker might use charm or lies to gain a victim's trust.

Traffickers may use false job advertisements to lure victims with promises of good jobs, only to trap and exploit them.

Traffickers often lie about education or travel opportunities to trick victims into dangerous situations.

Traffickers might use lies about education or travel opportunities, such as promising scholarship or visa assistance, to entice victims.

A pattern of behavior used to control someone by insulting, humiliating, and creating fear.

Statements or actions meant to intimidate or cause fear.

Offensive language intended to hurt someone's feelings or reputation.

Manipulating someone into doubting their sanity or reality.

Using sly tactics to control someone's actions or emotions.

Any sexual act forced upon someone without their consent, including touching, forcing them to participate, making them undress, or using guilt to coerce them.

Making someone participate in sexual acts against their will.

Making someone feel obligated to engage in sexual activity through guilt, shame, or manipulation.

Unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature, including touching body parts.

Any sexual act between an adult and a child, regardless of consent, as children cannot consent.

Safe Havens are shelters designed to help families escaping abuse. They provide a safe place for victims to seek refuge and support.

Gangs engage in a variety of criminal activities, including arson, assault, burglary, robbery, drug trafficking, and even murder, making them a serious threat to communities.

A common activity associated with gangs is drug trafficking, where they illegally distribute controlled substances for profit.

Using someone unfairly for your own benefit.

A form of exploitation involving the illegal trade of people, often for forced labor or sexual exploitation.

Using someone for sexual purposes without their consent or against their will.

Abuse, mistreatment, or neglect experienced by a child or adult from a family member.

A reasonable amount of money paid for work, reflecting the value of the work done.

Engaging in cyberbullying can lead to serious consequences, including fines, criminal charges, and even imprisonment.

A law that allows schools to take action against cyberbullying, including removing the bully from school and obtaining restraining orders.

A legal order that restricts a cyberbully from contacting or harassing their victim online. It can be obtained through David's Law.

Cyberbullying can have a significant negative impact on the victim's mental health and well-being.

Schools play a role in addressing cyberbullying by implementing policies and offering support to victims.