TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The fight against human trafficking in Florida has received a significant boost with the recognition of January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Attorney General Ashley Moody and Governor Ron DeSantis joined forces with all Florida Cabinet members to sign a Cabinet Resolution in support of this critical cause.
According to the U.S. Department of State, there are an estimated 27.6 million victims of human trafficking worldwide at any given time. Attorney General Moody is dedicated to putting an end to this heinous crime and aims to train as many Floridians as possible to recognize and report suspicious activity.
Florida’s zero-tolerance stance against human trafficking has been emphasized by Attorney General Moody, who highlighted the Statewide Prosecutors’ hard work in stopping traffickers and achieving a nearly perfect conviction rate. Governor DeSantis also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to combating human trafficking by increasing penalties for traffickers and expanding efforts to protect vulnerable children.
In an effort to combat human trafficking at every level, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis advocated for legislation that now provides training to fire safety inspectors on how to identify and recognize human trafficking in Florida. Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson added that the fight against human trafficking requires a united front, urging all Floridians to learn the potential signs and indicators of human trafficking and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
Florida’s dedication to combating human trafficking is evident in the allocation of funding for therapeutic services to support survivors and the maintenance of task forces in all 20 Florida judicial circuits to facilitate law enforcement and prosecutors’ coordination on human trafficking cases.
Attorney General Moody’s role as Chair of the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking further highlights the state’s commitment to eradicating human trafficking through enhanced development and coordination of law enforcement and social services responses.
With Florida’s proactive approach to combatting human trafficking, the state is setting an example for others to follow in the fight against this global issue. Preventing human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals remains a top priority for Florida’s leaders, and their collaborative efforts are critical in the ongoing battle against this crime.