January marks Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and state officials are commemorating the month by drawing attention to the signs of human trafficking that could help potential victims.
Since she took office, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has been spearheading several efforts to combat human trafficking. She says one of her goals is to help other people recognize the signs, which can include victims avoiding eye contact, is in poor health, or becomes anxious or fearful.
“The truckers are now our eyes and ears at truck stops,” said Bondi, during a human trafficking summit a few months ago. “How amazing is that! The Emergency Room physicians came to me and said, we think we are seeing victims in the ER with men that they don’t belong with, or some of these monsters are women, of course, and we need to know what to do.”
A new law just took effect making sure areas prone to human trafficking post signs to raise awareness. They include truck stops, ERs, and strip clubs. Florida ranks third in the nation in the number of calls made to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
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