DOH-Collier raises Human Trafficking Awareness

NAPLES — January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month and the Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) is committed to raising awareness and promoting action against human trafficking.

Human trafficking is a human rights violation and a form of modern-day slavery that involves exploiting a person for labor, services, or commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion. Florida remains the third highest trafficking destination in the country, with half of all victims younger than 18 years old.

Anyone can become a victim of human trafficking; however, traffickers prey on those who are vulnerable, living in an unsafe or unstable situation, or in search of a better life. In many cases, victims are deceived by false promises and forced, lured, or blackmailed into working in undesirable situations with little or no pay. Victims can be in plain view or hidden behind closed doors.

DOH-Collier is urging residents and visitors to learn the signs of human trafficking. It is important that “if you see something, say something.” There are common indicators that can help identify a human trafficking victim that include:

• Avoids eye contact

• Shows signs of being denied food, water, sleep, or medical care
• Not allowed to speak for themselves or a third party insists on being present
• Has inconsistencies in his/her story
• A child that has stopped attending school
• Bruises in various stages of healing
• Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, nervous, or paranoid
• Few or no personal possessions

It is important to remain vigilant to keep our community safe from human trafficking. If you have information about a potential trafficking situation or believe you are the victim of a trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888.