The city of Houston acknowledged the ongoing battle against sex trafficking yesterday in a ceremony honoring Robyn Cory, whose daughter Kristen Galvan has been missing since 2020. Galvan, who vanished just short of her 15th birthday, represents the human cost in the city's infamous trafficking and prostitution hub. "Tomorrow will be Kristen's 20th birthday," Cory said, "She'll be forever 15 in our hearts until she's home.", KHOU 11 reported.
Galvan's return to her family after her first disappearance was brief before she went missing again, to presumably be trafficked once more. Her mother, driven by agony over her daughter's plight, has taken to investigate the depths of her city's underworld, often coming dangerously close but never quite managing to permanently reclaim her child from the grasp of traffickers."These monsters literally groomed and lured my child out of our home." Robyn Cory disclosed in a heart-wrenching testament to the brutal reality of human trafficking, as obtained by KHOU 11.
The stretch of road known as the Bissonnet Track where Kristen was found initially has been the focal point of the city's struggle. Increasing law enforcement efforts and physical barriers have finally brought an end to visible street-level prostitution there. However, the complex networks of trafficking continue to veil victims like Kristen in shadow, defying the narrative of easy solutions and policy victories.
In a relentless search, Cory has not only attempted to find her daughter but also contributed to the rescue of other missing girls, highlighting the broader issue haunting many families. "I just heard the stories I’ve never heard at my daughter's testimony. I’ve met survivors of sex trafficking and I can’t stop and look the other way. It’s not just my baby. It’s not just my daughter -- being sold, raped -- nobody can find her. My daughter has a price tag. How much is your child worth?" Cory expressed, detailing the emotional toll of the search in an interview with FOX 26 Houston.
As men who have been connected to Kristen's case face charges, her mother and other advocates continue to struggle with the dual burden of hope and despair. With each unresolved disappearance, the fight to rescue and protect Houston's children from an unseen predator remains arduous and ongoing.
