Phil AmmannA woman unpaid with unusually long work hours, or a young man recruited for a job under false premises.
It is difficult to comprehend the evil of human trafficking, but its existence is real and occurs not only in poor and impoverished villages halfway around the world, but right here in our own communities.
Human trafficking is the fastest growing multi-billion dollar industry that victimizes more than 27 million people worldwide, one-fourth of them children. Its evil grasp goes largely unnoticed in the country, but these staggering facts cannot be ignored and should call us to action.
Even just one victim of human trafficking is one too many. Especially when an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 children are at risk of exploitation right here in the United States. According to the Human Trafficking Resource Center, Florida accounts for the third highest call volume of human-trafficking cases.
Together, we can end human trafficking in our state by raising awareness and placing important practices in place for its eradication. Gov. Rick Scott recently proclaimed January “Human Trafficking Awareness Month” in Florida to educate and equip Floridians to spot trafficking and avoid becoming victims themselves.
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and Department of Children and Families have partnered to identify victimized children earlier by using a new research-based, trauma-informed screening tool.
Since many of these children interact with probation officers, DJJ has trained every juvenile probation and detention officer to better recognize the signs associated with human trafficking. DCF also recently launched the use of these tools for child protective investigators and community-based care organizations.
We are thankful to partner with a governor who shares our commitment to ending human trafficking in our state. Last year alone, Scott provided over $2 million for five safe homes and other service providers across the state. He is also proposing over $1 million this year to expand services for adolescent victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The money would decrease the need for a group home or residential treatment placement and provide specialized therapeutic foster care placements for at least 96 children.
Our ultimate goal is to end all forms of modern-day slavery in Florida. We must keep working together to shine a light on human trafficking and equip survivors with the tools they need to heal and lead an independent future.
If you are aware of any child or adult trapped in a possible human-trafficking situation, please contact the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1 (800) 962-2873.
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Christina K. Daly is Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Mike Carroll is Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
