Jan 22 2024
Attorney General Ashley Moody and Governor Ron DeSantis, along with the Florida Cabinet, have recognized January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Florida. The U.S. Department of State estimates that there are 27.6 million victims of human trafficking worldwide at any given time. In an effort to combat this atrocious crime, Attorney General Moody and her team are dedicated to ending trafficking in Florida and training as many Floridians as possible to spot and report suspicious activity.
Attorney General Moody emphasized Florida's zero-tolerance approach to human trafficking, stating, "Our Statewide Prosecutors work hard to stop traffickers, with a nearly perfect conviction rate. We also are dedicated to raising awareness of potential signs of trafficking and have trained thousands of Floridians to spot and report this crime." She expressed gratitude for the support of Governor DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet, stating that they "stand united in our resolve to stop traffickers, rescue victims and end this atrocious crime."
Governor DeSantis highlighted the state's efforts to eliminate human trafficking, particularly in light of the federal government's inaction on the issue. He stated, "As the federal government continues to ignore the human trafficking that is linked to our open Southern Border, Florida has taken action to eliminate this scourge from our state. We have increased penalties for human traffickers, helped victims recover and expanded our efforts to protect vulnerable children."
Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis expressed concern over the alarming statistic that Florida ranks third in the nation in reports to the national human trafficking hotline. He advocated for legislation to provide training to the state's fire safety inspectors on how to identify and recognize human trafficking in Florida. He emphasized the importance of first responders in identifying cases and saving lives, stating, "We must do all we can to put an end to human trafficking and it takes every single person working together and sharing information to accomplish that goal."
Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson stressed the importance of a united front in combating human trafficking. He urged all Floridians to learn the potential signs and indicators of human trafficking and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement, as it could save a life.
Florida continues to lead the way in combating human trafficking by allocating funding for therapeutic services to support survivors. The state also maintains task forces in all 20 Florida judicial circuits to aid in the coordination of human trafficking cases.
Attorney General Moody's Office of Statewide Prosecution plays a crucial role in prosecuting multi-judicial circuit cases of human trafficking in Florida, boasting a nearly perfect conviction record.
As Chair of the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking, Attorney General Moody works alongside law enforcement leaders, prosecutors, legislators, and experts in various fields to eradicate human trafficking. The council focuses on enhancing the development and coordination of state and local law enforcement and social services responses to fight all forms of human trafficking and support victims.
To spread awareness and educate the public, Floridians are encouraged to learn the signs of human trafficking and how to report suspicious activity at YouCanStopHT.com. If there is suspicion of human trafficking in Florida, individuals are urged to call 1(855) FLA-SAFE to report it to law enforcement.
Florida's commitment to eradicating human trafficking and supporting survivors remains steadfast. By raising awareness, providing training, and collaborating with law enforcement and social services, the state aims to put an end to this horrific crime.