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WE MUST PUT AN END TO THIS! Right here in our very own backyard, human sex trafficking has run amuck. The following news story is just one tragic example of how often victims can slip through cracks.
This case in Medley highlights how Miami has become the number one spot in Florida for human sex trafficking. Nationwide, Florida ranks third in human sex trafficking (The Women's Fund, 2021). Sadly, 67% of sex trafficking victims tend to be either local girls/women or vulnerable children that are either runaways or slipped through the cracks of the child welfare system.
For this young woman, it was an armed robbery at gunpoint that saved her from this vicious cycle of abuse. If it wasn’t for the astute training and persistence of MPD officers, this woman may have very well slipped through the cracks again. Luckily, these officers did not ignore the telltale signs.
The US Department of State has a list of potential indicators for human trafficking victims:
Living with employer
Poor living conditions
Multiple people in cramped space
Inability to speak to individual alone
Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed
Employer is holding identity documents
Signs of physical abuse
Submissive or fearful
Unpaid or paid very little
Under 18 and in prostitution
This young woman’s devastating story highlights how human trafficking is happening right in front of our eyes and how we should be more aware about the signs victims are demonstrating. We at The G Law Group ask that you please educate yourselves, so that we may all take action when trafficking is staring at us in the face.
Raising awareness about human and sex trafficking is one of our missions at the G Law Group.
Please review the following resources to educate yourself on this important topic:
If you or someone you know may be the victim of human trafficking, call the human trafficking hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888 and call us at (305)-486-7468 to speak with one of our attorneys. All calls kept completely confidential and we offer free consultation.