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JANUARY 6, 2025

Unmasking Modern Slavery

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Human trafficking is a heinous crime that impacts millions globally, trapping individuals in situations of forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of abuse. According to the International Labor Office, the human trafficking industry is estimated to be a $236 billion-a-year global business. Victims are often manipulated, threatened, or physically coerced into servitude across industries like agriculture, domestic work, and sex trafficking. Despite its far-reaching effects, human trafficking often remains hidden, making it difficult to recognize and address. In this blog, we'll delve into the realities of human trafficking and how we can take action to raise awareness and combat this widespread issue.

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​There are many false narratives regarding the realities of Human Trafficking. One of the most pervasive myths is that human trafficking is something that only happens abroad or in other parts of the world. In reality, trafficking is a significant issue within the United States as well.  In the US, it's estimated that around 200,000 human trafficking incidents occur every year, with noticeable regional patterns in states with large tourism, migrant, or transient populations. 

Victims come from all walks of life and include both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals. The notion that trafficking only involves "foreigners" being smuggled across borders is misleading. U.S. citizens, especially those in vulnerable situations—such as runaways, homeless youth, and individuals involved in the foster care system—are prime targets for traffickers. The U.S. is both a source and a destination for trafficking, with many traffickers exploiting individuals for sex, labor, or other forms of exploitation within the country.

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Furthermore, many people mistakenly believe that trafficking only happens to those who are “different” from them—someone in another country, a person with fewer resources, or someone living in extreme poverty. In reality, traffickers often target individuals who are vulnerable, but vulnerability doesn't have a specific demographic. It can affect people from any background, age, gender, or socioeconomic status. Traffickers prey on individuals' emotional or financial needs, offering false promises of a better life, love, or work opportunities. Traffickers often use psychological manipulation, coercion, and force to control their victims.

 

Now that we have addressed common myths surrounding Human trafficking in the United States, let’s discuss what constitutes as modern slavery.

What is Human Trafficking?

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The Florida Department of Health defines Human Trafficking as follows, “the recruitment, harboring, transporting, providing or obtaining, by any means, a person for labor or services involving forced labor, slavery or servitude in any industry, such as forced or coerced participation in agriculture, prostitution, manufacturing, or other industries or in domestic service or marriage.”


The United States recognizes two primary forms of Human Trafficking, forced labor and sex trafficking. According to both the United States Trafficking Victims Protection Act and the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, the crime of Human Trafficking involves three elements: “Acts/Action”, “Means”, and “Purpose”. These three elements must be proven to constitute trafficking. The image below was provided by the Human Trafficking Coalition of the Palm Beaches and gives more detail on these elements:​

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Forced Labor vs Sex Trafficking (Information provided by The U.S. Department of State):

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  • Forced Labor, sometimes also referred to as labor trafficking, encompasses the range of activities involved when a person uses force, fraud, or coercion to exploit the labor or services of another person.

    • Provided by the Polaris Project, a few common examples of Labor Trafficking in the United States Include:

      • Migrants & Immigrants- coerced into domestic servitude with the promise of a better life, only to end up trapped in modern slavery with fear or deportation or worse.

      • Forced marriage- a young girl may be sold into marriage by her family and then forced into domestic servitude.

      • Exploration of disabilities- an individual may promise shelter and safety in exchange for work from a disabled person, often not with fair pay.

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  • Sex Trafficking encompasses the range of activities involved when a trafficker uses force, fraud, or coercion to compel another person to engage in a commercial sex act or causes a child to engage in a commercial sex act.

    • Child Sex Trafficking- In cases where an individual engages in any of the specified “acts” with a child (under the age of 18), the means element is irrelevant regardless of whether evidence of force, fraud, or coercion exists.  The use of children in commercial sex is prohibited by law in the United States and most countries around the world.

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Human Trafficking in Florida:​

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In 2023, the National Human Trafficking Hotline reported a total of 9,619 trafficking cases in the United States, with 680 of those cases identified in Florida. This statistic places Florida as the third-highest state for human trafficking, trailing only California and Texas. The reasons for Florida's high trafficking rates are complex but may be due to the large presence of hospitality, agriculture, and tourism industries, in addition to being a transient state. Regardless of the cause, Human Trafficking is having a significant and devastating impact on the state's residents. Furthermore, the Human Trafficking Coalition of Palm Beach reported 93 cases involving the trafficking of minors in 2023, including 77 instances of commercial sexual exploitation of children and 16 cases of child labor trafficking. These numbers highlight the urgent need for increased awareness, prevention efforts, and support for victims of trafficking in Florida.​​

The rise in trafficking cases in Florida underscores the critical need for comprehensive strategies to combat this crime on multiple fronts. While law enforcement plays a key role in investigating and dismantling trafficking networks, community-based organizations are equally vital in providing support to survivors and raising public awareness. Programs focused on education, prevention, and victim rehabilitation are essential for breaking the cycle of exploitation. Additionally, collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies, along with the involvement of the private sector and the public, can strengthen efforts to disrupt trafficking operations and provide resources for those affected. As Florida continues to grapple with its position as a trafficking hotspot, the state must prioritize not only the prosecution of traffickers but also the protection and recovery of victims, especially the most vulnerable among us—children and minors.

What are we doing to combat Human Trafficking?

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With Human Trafficking Prevention being one of Kingdom Charitable Trust’s six core focus areas, we are proud to partner with the most impactful organizations working to combat trafficking and support victims.

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Partner Highlights:

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Child Rescue Coalition:  Kingdom Charitable Trusts is honored to partner with Child Rescue Coalition in the battle against child sexual abuse and exploitation. Through this partnership, we support The Innocence Project which provides law enforcement with the critical tools, free of charge, needed to identify, apprehend, and prosecute predators, ensuring the safety and protection of children. Officers in 50 U.S. states and in 103 countries have been trained to use their technology to target and apprehend predators who are most likely to sexually abuse children. CRC tools have aided in the arrest of over 15,700 predators and the rescue of over 3,600 children from sexual exploitation and abuse. By working together, we are making a tangible difference in rescuing children from harm and creating a safer future for all.​

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FLITE Center: The Fort Lauderdale Independence, Training & Education Center, also known as FLITE Center, provides a variety of much needed community services, including support for victims of Human Trafficking. With the sole purpose of helping survivors prepare for and succeed in independent living and community integration, FLITE Center's Human Trafficking Team provides trauma-informed emergency stabilization, individualized wellness plans, and ongoing support while connecting youth and young adults (ages 10-24) to FLITE Center's comprehensive Transition to Independent Living (TIL) program pipeline (Education, Employment, Housing, Health & Wellness, and Resource Navigation). 

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In addition to a newly established emergency clinic in Fort Lauderdale, we are also thrilled to share that FLITE Center has very recently been approved to begin a promising new project- The Hawk’s Edge Housing Initiative. This project will rehabilitate two buildings on a previously vacant church property, creating eight two-bedroom apartments that will provide 16 critical beds for at-risk, homeless youth, youth aging out of the system, and survivors of human trafficking.

A21: Another proud partner of Kingdom Charitable Trust is A21, a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to combatting human slavery worldwide. According to A21, there are approximately 49 million enslaved individuals right now across the world. 7 million of those individuals are in Africa, where KCT supports a South-African Human Trafficking Hotline. In addition to Africa, A21 works to combat modern slavery in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Greece, Latin America, Norway, Spain, and Thailand.

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Join the Fight​
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Anyone can become a victim of human trafficking, regardless of age, gender, race, or background. Traffickers often prey on vulnerabilities such as financial instability, a lack of support networks, or a desire for a better life. Victims may be lured by false promises of employment, a romantic relationship, or a brighter future, only to be trapped in situations of exploitation. Even individuals from seemingly secure backgrounds can fall victim, as traffickers use manipulation, deceit, and threats to control their victims. The reality is that trafficking affects people from all walks of life, making awareness and vigilance crucial in identifying and preventing this crime.

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Recognizing the signs of human trafficking can be challenging, as traffickers often go to great lengths to conceal their victims. However, there are key indicators to watch for. Victims may appear fearful, anxious, or submissive, particularly when interacting with a controlling or dominant companion. They might avoid eye contact or seem overly guarded, and their responses may seem scripted or rehearsed. Physical signs of abuse, such as bruises, malnutrition, or poor hygiene, can also be red flags. Victims may have restricted freedom of movement, be unable to speak freely, or show signs of being isolated from friends or family. Additionally, they may lack identification documents or have inconsistent stories about their circumstances. In situations involving minors, look out for children who are excessively guarded, appear to be working inappropriately for their age, or are unable to explain where they live or who they are with. If you suspect someone is a victim of trafficking, it is crucial to report it to the authorities or a human trafficking hotline immediately to help protect them.

Resources & Where to Report
 

 

“A21.” A21, www.a21.org.

 

Center, Flite. “Flite Center.” Flite Center, 2023, flitecenter.org. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

 

“Child Rescue Coalition.” Child Rescue Coalition, childrescuecoalition.org.

 

Department of Homeland Security. “What Is Human Trafficking?” Department of Homeland Security, Blue Campaign, 22 Sept. 2022, www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/what-human-trafficking.

 

“Human Trafficking | Florida Department of Health.” Www.floridahealth.gov, www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/prevention/human-trafficking/index.html.

 

International Labor Office. Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labor.

 

Key. “Human Trafficking Coalition.” Human Trafficking Coalition , 2014, htcpb.org/key-initiatives. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

 

“Labor Trafficking Examples | Polaris.” Polarisproject.org, 24 Mar. 2022, polarisproject.org/labor-trafficking-examples/.

 

National Human Trafficking Hotline. “National Statistics.” Humantraffickinghotline.org, 2023, humantraffickinghotline.org/en/statistics.

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U.S. Department of State. “Understanding Human Trafficking.” United States Department of State, 12 Dec. 2023, www.state.gov/what-is-trafficking-in-persons/.

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