Category: Awareness

lorida students in grades K-12 would be taught about child-trafficking prevention, under a rule proposed by state education officials. The intent of the rule is to have “every school in Florida be a ‘child trafficking free zone,’ ” according to the proposed regulation published by the Florida Department of Education Tuesday.

Ms. Toni Azinger will now represent the Senate on the statewide council on Human Trafficking Direct Support Organization Board of Directors.

With this new digital age, parents have a lot more to worry about when it comes to their kids’ online presence. With several reports of online predators and human trafficking, authorities are reminding parents to watch out for potentially dangerous apps that their kids may be exposed to.

Two bikers from Tampa, FL. are driving over 2,000 miles to let Sturgis know that human trafficking is no longer acceptable and bikers have a responsibility to solve this problem. Over 500,000 bikers plan on attending Sturgis this year, which means the voice of Rainey and Doc can be multiplied across America and spread to the millions.

According to law enforcement, Central Florida is a hotbed for this kind of modern-day slavery. And to make matters worse, victims are getting younger and younger, with pimps now recruiting elementary school-age children. But human trafficking survivor Savannah Parvu, who was 11 years old when she was sold for sex, knows a much darker side.

Most sex traffickers aren’t millionaires who abuse girls in their mansions in Manhattan and Palm Beach. Sex trafficking usually happens right under our noses, and traffickers are often those we least suspect.

Sanford, Florida- Tina Kadolph dreamed up Palate as a café with a mission. All the baristas are volunteers, and all profits — even tips — go to fight human trafficking and help survivors.

Palm Beach County, FL- Roger DeHart is lacing up his sneakers once again, embarking on another long-distance walk to raise awareness of human trafficking. This walk will be around 650 miles and will take about a month and a half to complete.

The signing of HB-851 by Gov. DeSantis of Florida comes on the heels of 85 people arrested in “Operation Trade Secrets” — a months-long human trafficking sting in the Tampa area. The new law includes the creation of a database of people convicted of soliciting prostitution, and placing new requirements on the operation of massage parlors, strip clubs and hotels.

Frontline tells the unimaginable stories of young women coerced into prostitution – and follows one police unit that’s committed to rooting it out. They showed how a sixteen year old girl from Phoenix, AR. was lured into being a victim of sex trafficking.

‘Fox Report’ takes and exclusive look inside a Florida home helping boys who were exploited by human traffickers.

BOYS ARE INVISIBLE VICTIMS IN SEX TRAFFICKING:
Last month, the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking’s safe home for underage male victims of human trafficking – one of the first boys safe home in the country – admitted a new resident. He’s 10 years old!
Opinion By Geoff Rogers | Fox News

The U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking is partnering with Florida’s Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking and Pasco County Public Transportation to train more than 100 PCPT employees to identify and report human trafficking.
“In many ways, we view bus drivers as those on the front lines to combat human trafficking as they engage with thousands of people a day,” said Geoff Rogers, CEO and co-founder of the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking.

“You’re going to have tens of thousands of extra people in your city,” Fernandez Rundle said. “My office wants to make sure we’re ready. Our concern is that a lot of predators will bring other dancers and their victims that work in strip clubs. We have seen that with other major destinations.”

Corporal Alan Wilkett said boys rarely admit or identify themselves as human trafficking victims. He said that’s often discovered by law enforcement after they’re picked up for other crimes.
“So it may be shoplifting or a drug charge or it could be a trespass,” Wilkett said.

Corporal Alan Wilkett heads the human trafficking division of the Pasco County, FL. Sheriff’s Office.
Wilkett said boys rarely admit or identify themselves as human trafficking victims.
Corporal Alan Wilkett heads the human trafficking division of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Congressman Matt Gaetz pointed out there are an estimated 9,000 illicit massage parlors in the U.S.–more than Starbucks’ 8,222 locations. In 2018, Florida had 376 cases of human trafficking reported to the national hotline. Only California (760) and Texas (455) had more.

Lee County, FL. Health is working with Christy’s Cause to educate medical professionals on the signs of human trafficking victims. It all started when an ER nurse noticed an increased number of human trafficking victims.