Orlando, Florida — Florida is one of the top three human trafficking states in the country, but as calls to human trafficking hotlines increase, so does the state’s efforts to serve survivors Did.
National experts say these efforts are beginning to pay off.
From theme parks to beaches. As a tourist hub, Florida’s top industry also means the state is a hotspot for human trafficking. New data shows that the way states have responded is helping set national standards.
“Human trafficking occurs in every state across the country,” said Safehouse Project’s Christie Wells. I have.”
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Wells is the CEO of the Safehouse Project. A national nonprofit has released a comprehensive 117-page report that looks at the number of reported trafficking cases in each state and the services in place to help survivors.
Based on the group’s analysis, Florida ranks third in continuous care, behind California and Texas.
“Florida has confirmed 13 trafficking reports per 100,000 people,” Wells said. “Part of the reason is that they train law enforcement, the juvenile justice system, the child welfare system, prosecutors, students, health care and hospitality.”
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9 Investigates talks about these efforts over the past decade. Law enforcement has shifted focus away from arresting prostitutes, with all graduates of UCF’s Rosen Hospitality College trained to help identify victims, and a new generation of tourism leaders and workers engaged in hotel crime. prepared to prevent the
But while Florida has made progress there, it still falls short when it comes to requiring similar training for teachers.
“We believe it is very important to train educators to identify human trafficking. They are mandatory reporters and they engage with these children,” Wells said. Told.
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The report also indicates that Florida has no services for male trafficking survivors and limited housing services for girls under the age of 18.
The need extends beyond Florida. Currently, only 286 non-profit organizations nationwide provide housing for survivors. That means there are only about 1,600 beds available nationwide.
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“Without a safe place, once someone is identified, 80% of them are back in the hands of traffickers,” says Wells.
The report also revealed that our state lacks services for transgender survivors of human trafficking. It is estimated that more than 78,000 people are trafficked in the state each year, about the same number as people living in Kissimmee.
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