Human trafficking and modern-day slavery are problems that people tend to think wouldn’t happen where they live, but the Pasco County Commission wants the community to know that those crimes do happen locally, and they need the public’s help to combat them.
The board passed a resolution during its Jan. 10 meeting declaring January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and Jan. 11 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Pasco County.
The board’s resolution explains that human trafficking occurs when an individual “is compelled to work or engage in a commercial sex act through force, fraud, or coercion, thereby being stripped of his/her rights and humanity.
“Traffickers typically use multiple means to control their victims, including beatings, rape, isolation, forced drug/alcohol dependency, withholding of documentation, and psychological and emotional abuse,” the resolution adds.
It also cites some statistics gathered by the International Labor Organization, which estimates there are more than 49.6 million victims of human trafficking worldwide.
The crime, the resolution says, “is second only to the illegal drug trade in terms of the speed of its growth and the profits that it generates as human beings can be sold repeatedly.”
The resolution also notes that “human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states,” with Florida consistently ranking third among the number of calls made to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH).
In fact, according to the resolution, hotline statistics reveal there were 3,587 human trafficking reports to the NHTH from Florida between 2016 to 2020.
The Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking is working to prevent the crime and to help survivors.
It enlists the aid of a broad array of people to help in the effort, including representatives of law enforcement, schools, child welfare, nonprofits, businesses, faith-based organizations and survivors, too.
After the resolution was read, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey commented: “You know, it’s just unbelievable that we’re talking about slavery — slavery and human trafficking, in this day and age, and to know that’s occurring here in Pasco County. It’s just heartbreaking.
“I’m really glad that we’re bringing attention to this important issue. Everyone needs to be vigilant and keep your eyes open for someone who is being trafficked,” Starkey said.
Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley served on the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking for four years.
“It was an eye-opener to me all that goes on in our community,” Oakley said. He noted that he’s certain the situation would be worse, if it weren’t for the work of the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking.
Commissioner Gary Bradford, a new member on the county board, has been appointed to serve on that commission.
Bradford is eager to help attack the problem.
“There is no more vile crime than human trafficking. It’s a vile, hideous disease that our society can’t seem to fix, until now.
“We have to make a difference in Pasco County.
“In a previous life, in a previous career, I was out there fighting that fight. One victim at a time. One situation at a time,” said Bradford, a former Tampa Police officer.
“God blessed me with a different role, hopefully I can make a difference here, in that exact same fight,” Bradford said.
Also last week, Pasco County announced that the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking is partnering with the county’s public transportation system, GoPasco and the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking (USIAHT) to help bus riders and drivers recognize the signs of human trafficking and to help those who are potentially being exploited to get to safety.
This campaign will reach 45,000 riders a month through:
- Placards and pamphlets for GoPasco bus riders
- Tips for bus drivers to identify trafficking
- Protocol for bus drivers who suspect trafficking
- Providing USIAHT victims Safe Way Out cards
If you suspect or are a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
Published January 18, 2023
