Why is human trafficking so high in Florida?

Florida has a large agricultural economy and a large immigrant population, which has made it a prime environment for forced labor, particularly in the tomato industry. Also Florida's tourism industry has also helped make the state a prime target for human traffickers.

Where does Florida rank for human trafficking?

Florida ranks third in the nation in calls to the National Human Trafficking hotline. Only Texas and California have more.

Is human trafficking high in Florida?

In Florida, the booming tourism industry is rife with cases of labor trafficking, especially in the domestic service and hospitality industries.

Is human trafficking an issue in Florida?

Statistics rank Florida as the third highest trafficking destination in the country, with half of all trafficking victims under the age of 18. Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery from which traffickers profit from the control and exploitation of others.

What is the number 1 state for human trafficking?

States with the Highest Human Trafficking Numbers

California consistently has the highest human trafficking rates in the United States, with 1,507 cases reported in 2019. 1,118 of these cases were sex trafficking cases, 158 were labor trafficking, and 69 were both sex and labor. The remaining cases were not specified.

Human Trafficking Facts For The State of Florida

How do you know if you are being targeted for human trafficking?

How do traffickers lure victims?

Many sex traffickers lure victims by providing basic survival needs. They systematically provide distorted versions of higher needs to manipulate victims. Using threats, force and coercion, traffickers exploit the fact that, for many victims, “the life” may be their first experience of 'family' and belonging.

How many kids are trafficked in Florida?

In SFY 2020-21, the total number of reports, accepted by the Florida Abuse Hotline (Hotline) alleging one of the human trafficking maltreatments was 2,289 involving 1,750 children.

What is Florida doing to stop human trafficking?

The mission of FCAHT is to improve and provide outreach and services to victims of human trafficking throughout the State of Florida by developing support programs, networking, coalition building, training, service delivery, and referrals to victims in need.

What is the average age of a victim of human trafficking in the US?

The average age for IOM registered victims of trafficking is 27, and half of all victims are aged between 19 and 33. There is a slight spike in age at 0 and 1 years of age- this is because of the number of children who are born into trafficking.

How do humans get trafficked?

The most common ways traffickers control victims are through threats or economic abuse. Immigrants are vulnerable to labor trafficking because many have come to the United States due to violence or severe poverty in their home countries. That makes threats like “if you complain, I will call ICE” extremely powerful.

Is there human trafficking in Orlando?

Florida currently ranks third highest in the nation for human trafficking cases, just below California and Texas, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

What are the 3 methods of trafficking?

The 3 most common types of human trafficking are sex trafficking, forced labor, and debt bondage. Forced labor, also known as involuntary servitude, is the biggest sector of trafficking in the world, according to the U.S. Department of State.

What are the red flags of human trafficking?

Person seems overly fearful, submissive, tense, or paranoid. Person is deferring to another person before giving information. Person has physical injuries or branding such as name tattoos on face or chest, tattoos about money and sex, or pimp phrases. Clothing is inappropriately sexual or inappropriate for weather.

What are the 3 strategies used by human traffickers?

Trafficking has three steps: action, means, and exploitation.

What is one way to keep yourself safe from traffickers?

Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. People are often distracted by their phones or other little things when walking. Make sure that you're aware of what's going on around you so that you can spot when something is off. If you notice a person or a car following you, alert someone you trust immediately.

What age group is most affected by human trafficking?

The average age of child sex trafficking victims are between the ages of 11-14 Family members exclusively traffic most children under the age of ten. 74% of child trafficking cases involved sex trafficking, and the majority of those involved pimp-controlled prostitution.

Who are the main targets of human trafficking?

Victims of human trafficking can be young children, teenagers, men and women. They can be U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) or foreign nationals, and they can be found in urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Why are hotels involved in human trafficking?

Often, human trafficking networks operate through legitimate businesses such as hotels to undertake their operations. Specifically, human traffickers use hotel and motel rooms to set up encounters between victims of sex and their purchasers.

Is human trafficking common in Miami?

According to CEO of Kristi House, Amanda Altman, labor trafficking and sex trafficking are big issues in South Florida. She says Florida is number three in the country for reported cases of human trafficking and Miami-Dade is number one in the state. Most of the cases they see are minors, some as young as 11.

How can you spot human trafficking in public?

Why are children targeted for trafficking?

Children are targets for human traffickers because of the vulnerability that they possess, giving traffickers the ability to manipulate them with empty promises, romantic relationships, or gifts. Human traffickers see children as vulnerable and easy to manipulate, especially if that child has low self-esteem.

What are 5 signs of trafficking?

Where does Tampa rank in human trafficking?

Human Trafficking In The Tampa Bay Area

Tampa, Florida, ranks as the 12th worst city in the US for human trafficking.