Attorney General Bondi's Weekly Briefing January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Human trafficking is modern day slavery that exploits children, women, and men. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to sexual exploitation or forced labor through force, fraud or coercion. In 2011, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center ranked Florida third in the number of calls received by the center’s human trafficking hotline. This is a testament to the need to eradicate this horrific crime. I am committed to making Florida a zero-tolerance state for human trafficking, and in order to effectively combat this crime, we are implementing an all-hands-on-deck approach.
We are attacking human trafficking on every front. In 2012, I worked with the Florida Legislature to establish tough new laws to fight human trafficking in Florida. My office also recently partnered with Florida’s businesses and law enforcement communities in the effort to stop human trafficking. Businesses are uniquely positioned to help end this deplorable crime in that they can help recognize the signs human trafficking and report it. Additionally, I have joined Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey in launching a new voluntary human trafficking training course that is available to law enforcement officers throughout Florida.
Human traffickers will use any means available to them to recruit victims, including the Internet. That’s why we created the “From Instant Message to Instant Nightmare” statewide campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking and to help parents protect their children from online sex traffickers. For those of you who are parents or are otherwise involved in children’s lives, we have created a parental tip sheet and pledge for kids to sign regarding online safety.
I will remain dedicated to eliminating human trafficking in Florida and making our state the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
We are attacking human trafficking on every front. In 2012, I worked with the Florida Legislature to establish tough new laws to fight human trafficking in Florida. My office also recently partnered with Florida’s businesses and law enforcement communities in the effort to stop human trafficking. Businesses are uniquely positioned to help end this deplorable crime in that they can help recognize the signs human trafficking and report it. Additionally, I have joined Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey in launching a new voluntary human trafficking training course that is available to law enforcement officers throughout Florida.
Human traffickers will use any means available to them to recruit victims, including the Internet. That’s why we created the “From Instant Message to Instant Nightmare” statewide campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking and to help parents protect their children from online sex traffickers. For those of you who are parents or are otherwise involved in children’s lives, we have created a parental tip sheet and pledge for kids to sign regarding online safety.
I will remain dedicated to eliminating human trafficking in Florida and making our state the best place to live, work, and raise a family.