DCF Highlights Statewide Resources to Combat Human Trafficking

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Shevaun Harris highlighted new resources and prevention efforts to combat human trafficking, including announcing more than $900,000 in grant funding for law enforcement. Secretary Harris was joined by Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Mark Glass, Director of the USF Human Trafficking Risk to Resilience Research Lab Dr. Joan Reid, Founder and President of My Name My Voice Dr. Marianne Thomas, and partners to discuss these prevention initiatives as Florida continues to bolster its efforts to prioritize survivors and end human trafficking.

“We know that elevating awareness of human trafficking is key to combating and hopefully eliminating human trafficking from our state,” said DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris. “Our Department has created toolkits, assessments, and screening tools to give Floridians the knowledge and resources necessary to identify human trafficking risks and indicators for our most vulnerable children and adults. Through new law enforcement grants from the Department, we are investing in our partners as we come together to end this heinous crime.”

The Department developed several resources to better identify potential child trafficking victims and those at high risk of human trafficking. These resources include:

• An enhanced early-detection Child Welfare Human Trafficking Identification Assessment that will be used by child protective investigators to better identify children at-risk of trafficking.
• A Community Human Trafficking Identification Guide designed in collaboration with the University of South Florida to assist professionals (e.g., teachers, physicians, etc.) in identifying and reporting potential cases of child exploitation and trafficking.
• A streamlined website where individuals can access the Department’s human trafficking parent toolkit, information on reporting trafficking, and additional resources.

To further emphasize Florida’s dedication to combating human trafficking, the Department also identified an additional $900,000 in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in improving the assessment and investigation of labor and sex trafficking, while strengthening efforts to investigate and prosecute cases involving the trafficking of minors.

Secretary Harris announced the winners of the law enforcement grants, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Bonifay Police Department, Miramar Police Department, City of Daytona Beach Police Department, Clay County Sheriff's Office, and Escambia County Sheriff's Office.

FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said, “Human traffickers are some of society’s most heinous criminals, trafficking and preying on the lives of others for sex and money. FDLE and our partners work tirelessly to track down and arrest these monsters who mistakenly think Florida won't bring the full force of the law down on them.”

If you suspect someone is a victim of trafficking, trust your instincts. Contact the Florida Trafficking Hotline number: 1-855-FLA-SAFE (1-855-352-7233) for assistance or to report suspicious activity. You can remain anonymous.

Currently, the Department oversees and licenses 47 beds for child survivors of human trafficking, and there are 97 beds in Florida for adult survivors. With Governor Ron DeSantis’ appropriation of $4.9 million for emergency beds, there will be 48 additional emergency beds statewide for human trafficking survivors.

“The screening items included in the Community Human Trafficking Identification Guide describe the most common of trafficking conditions and experiences to enable a community of bystanders to identify victims more efficiently,” said Dr. Joan Reed, Director of the USF Human Trafficking Risk to Resilience Research Lab. “The implementation of the tool to be in coordination with the comprehensive existing Human Trafficking tools highlights Florida’s efforts in using evidence-based practices to prevent trafficking.”

“Florida is doing a great job raising appropriate awareness about what trafficking looks like within the United States,” said Dr. Marianne Thomas, Founder and President of My Name My Voice. “Appropriate screening is the next step in eradicating child trafficking. This tool is necessary because without accurate screening kids fall through the cracks and are further harmed. Our goal is always to make sure that no one else gets hurt.”

With today’s announcement, Florida continues to lead the nation in human trafficking response and recovery. Year after year, Florida has bolstered protections for Floridians and increased penalties for perpetrators, notably under the leadership of Governor DeSantis.

To access these resources or to learn more about human trafficking prevention, visit myflfamilies.com/HT.

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