Human Trafficking and the Role of Trauma-Informed Care
- Christopher Meyer
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
In this episode of the Chris Meyer Podcast, I sit down with Rhonda Kuykendall, Task Force Director for the Fort Bend Anti-Trafficking Collective, survivor-leader, licensed social worker, and legislative advocate who helped abolish the statute of limitations for childhood sexual assault in Texas.
This conversation explores what human trafficking really looks like in our communities—and what most people misunderstand about it.
When many people hear the word trafficking, they imagine kidnappings or strangers in parking lots. But as Rhonda explains, trafficking often happens through coercion, manipulation, vulnerability, and silence. It can occur in neighborhoods, schools, and families—sometimes in ways that are invisible to the outside world.
Rhonda shares how her own experience as a survivor shaped her decision to pursue legislative change that now protects future victims across Texas. She also explains how collaboration between law enforcement, victim service providers, schools, courts, and community organizations is essential to preventing children from falling through the cracks.
We talk about:
• the difference between trafficking myths and reality • how traffickers identify and exploit vulnerability
• why trauma-informed responses matter
• how social media grooming works today
• the role families and professionals can play in prevention
• what meaningful community collaboration looks like in Fort Bend County
• practical steps parents can take right now to protect their children online Rhonda also discusses the importance of educating families using trusted sources—not social media—and why open conversations at home are one of the strongest protective tools available.
This episode is ultimately about hope.
It’s about the people in our community working quietly behind the scenes to protect children, support survivors, and strengthen systems so fewer victims are overlooked.
Conversations like this make it harder for exploitation to stay hidden—and easier for communities to respond together. 🤝
To learn more about Rhonda’s work and the Fort Bend Anti-Trafficking Collective, follow the resource links included with this episode.
Recorded April 12, 2026 at the Chris Meyer Law Firm studio in Sugar Land, Texas.
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