TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, Florida ranks number three in the nation for reported human trafficking cases.
Friday afternoon, experts held a training session on the topic, looking at how to recognize it and how to respond to it.
Experts say minors like runaways, homeless youth, and those who suffer from mental illnesses are prime targets for traffickers. Those searching for minors are now doing it more and more through social media.
Robin Hassler Thompson the Executive Director of the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center said “People should take it seriously because we need to do everything we can to protect the people who live here weather it’s young children or adults. Working together, we can do what it takes to make a difference.”
Hassler Thompson also said if you see someone who might be a victim of human trafficking immediately call 911 or reach out to the National Trafficking Hotline.
Now during the next training session, they'll focus on labor trafficking, if you want to attend, it's January 18.
