PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – January is National Human Trafficking Prevention month, providing an opportunity to raise awareness about the prevalence of this heinous crime. According to experts, there has been a noticeable increase in cases involving children under 18 being exploited year over year.
Place of Hope, a prominent organization in Florida, is at the forefront of the fight against human trafficking. The CEO of Place of Hope mentioned that the battle is ongoing to rescue vulnerable children and adults from exploitation for sex and labor.
In an effort to combat human trafficking, Place of Hope has partnered with Crime Stoppers to offer up to $2,000 in reward money for tips that lead to arrests. This collaboration demonstrates the innovative and adaptive approach taken by organizations to combat this issue.
In cases where law enforcement agents uncover human trafficking while making other busts, Place of Hope steps in to provide resources and support to victims, particularly minors, to prevent them from falling back into those horrific situations. They prioritize addressing the core issues and traumas experienced by the victims, offering therapeutic solutions to help them on their journey to recovery.
While human trafficking can affect anyone, children with a tumultuous home life, runaways, and foster children are particularly vulnerable. It’s also noted that many victims often have some form of relationship with their traffickers.
To report human trafficking in Florida, individuals can call 1-855-FLA-SAFE, while the National Human Trafficking Hotline provides assistance at 1-888-373-7888. Additionally, victims and survivors can get help and connect with local services by texting HELP to 233733 (BEFREE). These resources are crucial in the effort to provide support and assistance to those affected by human trafficking.