Human Trafficking

Olivier Solon
Staff Writer

     Did you know Florida is ranked third in the country with the highest number of Human Trafficking cases? The concept is usually associated with 3rd world countries but according to the U.S. Dept of State, there are about 60,000 slaves in the U.S. today with about 30 million around the world. Human trafficking generates over $32 Billion annually in profit. Over 150 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was written, the fact that slavery still exists is truly astonishing.

     Human trafficking may seem like a foreign issue to us in South Florida but truth has it that we have a significant problem here and it happens very frequently and often right under our noses. Just last month Club Madonna in Miami was busted for featuring a 13 year-old runaway who was forced into stripping and prostitution. Under the Prostitution Statute of Florida, “buying sex” carries a mandatory fine of $5,000 of which $4,500 goes into supporting safe houses and reform for victims. It seems to be getting closer to home as media shines more and more light on these cases across the country and locally.

     On January 30th Broward College Central Campus partnered up with Free The Slaves to host a conference titled, “Human Trafficking: Exposing the Crisis, Devising Strategies and Solutions,” bringing together various members of Congress, States Offices, Sheriffs offices and advocates for organizations against human trafficking to speak out on the issue. The event was held in the Bailey Hall Auditorium from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

     “We’ve had more victims of domestic sex trafficking of minors in Broward in the last two years than in any other place in South Florida, including Miami” declared Barbara A. Martinez of the U.S. Dept of Justice Attorney’s Office.

     These traffickers are specifically targeting vulnerable children who may be struggling with poverty and homelessness and a safe shelter is the biggest proponent to keeping them out of harm and away from the life. Victims are more easily lured when suffering from drug addiction, under the influence or searching for a fix. The approximate time it takes for a trafficker to gain the trust of a child is about a month or less. Traffickers prey upon vulnerability filling a void, offering to provide basic needs and dreams of something better.

     We mustn't forget that although the trafficking of our communities young children is indeed atrocious, these are not the only victims. Those forced into labor and domestic servitude are far under the radar for most of them are undocumented immigrants. Executive Director of Free The Slaves, Maurice Middleberg proposed that comprehensive immigration reform can aid in the prosecution of those who profit from trafficking and the enslavement of migrant workers.

     “The goal of the event was purely about awareness so it was so critical for us to get people there so that they understand that this issue is occurring in not only all over the world but in their backyard,” said Gregory Haile. Haile is the General Council and VP for Public Policy and Government Affairs for Broward College. With about 500 RSVPs and even more in attendance he considered the event to be extremely successful.

     Political Science Professor Kevin Walsh, recommended that his students attend the seminar not only for extra credit but to spark debate on the topic in class. “Generate some activism would be the primary objective because a lot of people have absolutely no idea that this is going on,” said Prof. Walsh. “You really can’t address the issue unless you're aware of the problem itself.”

     “Of course I knew it was wrong and I want to do something but I didn’t know what to do about it so this is really interesting and eye opening” said Elizabeth Mulet, Public Relations major. When asked what she will do about it after she said “Spread the word [through social media.]”

     Upon reading this article you may feel this is probably the best thing we can do as students but not all reactions were mutual.

     “It’s like throwing money at the problem and it’s not really doing much,” said Hunter Yeago, a Dual Enrollment student who took to the mic to ask the panelists multiple questions. He also said “We can help prevent it for the future a little bit in these various ways but I feel like there has to be some kind of action done in going and stopping these people.”

     The world of trafficking is very dangerous and may be no place for students to be actively involved but after this event those who attended are better equipped to not only acknowledge signs of human trafficking but also to know what to do if faced with a situation where they can potentially save a life.