One More Child’s Anti-Trafficking program exists to bring healing and hope to survivors of sex trafficking and to prevent one more from being coerced into a life of exploitation. Recently, our Anti-Trafficking team has engaged in powerful opportunities to expand our influence and connections as we push forward in this goal.
Red Sand Project: Recognizing Those who Fall through the Cracks
The Red Sand Project, created by artist Molly Gochman, aims to increase public awareness and engagement of the prevalence of human trafficking that exists in society. With this project, organizations, community groups, and individuals fill in cracks in the sidewalk with red sand, symbolizing those who fall through the cracks of social, economic, or political systems or through those of our own personal consciousness into a life of trafficking or exploitation.
In recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Olivia Littleton, One More Child Anti-Trafficking Team Coordinator and Co-Chair of the Central Florida Human Trafficking Task Force, led three Red Sand Project events in central Florida. Each of these events featured a One More Child survivor leader/mentor who shared her story and expertise.
RED SAND EVENT WITH THE ORLANDO POLICE DEPARTMENT
In Orange County, One More Child hosted a Red Sand event with the Orlando Police Department, featuring Laura Henderson, who shared her experience as a survivor, and a proclamation from Mayor Demings, read by Tracy Salem. Present for this event were Orlando Police Chaplain Ed Santana, Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, Orange County Sheriff John Mina, Mary Sammon from the Office of Statewide Prosecution, and State Rep. Anna Eskamani.
Photo Credit: Orlando Police Department
RED SAND EVENT WITH THE SEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
In Seminole County, we hosted a Red Sand event with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, which featured Stacie Ham, a trafficking survivor, as the speaker, and a proclamation from Mayor Megan Sladek of Oviedo, read by Ella Quinones. Present for this event were Seminole County Undersheriff Ron Hopper, Circuit 18 SAO Chief Trial Attorney Domenick Leo, and Tammy Spence, Inside Out Jail Ministries Chaplain.
Photo Credit: City of Lake Mary Municipality
RED SAND EVENT WITH CITY OF KISSIMMEE
In Osceola County, we hosted a Red Sand event with the City of Kissimmee, featuring Christina Santiago as she shared her survivor story, as well as a proclamation from the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners, read by Stacie Ham. Present for this event were Mayor of Kissimmee Jackie Espinosa, City Commissioner Janette Martinez, Kissimmee Police Chief Robert Anzueto, Circuit 9 State Attorney Monique Worrell, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Major Fred Hinderman, and Pastor Tim Wilder, of the First Baptist Church of Kissimmee.
Meeting the Mayor: Building Relationships in Central Florida
One More Child’s Anti-Trafficking Mobile Teams collaborate with local governments, organizations, and officials in order to approach trafficking problems specific to each circuit in which the teams are located. Recently, Seyny Dressler, Senior Director of Program Operations for Anti-Trafficking in Florida, and Olivia Littleton, Anti-Trafficking Team Coordinator met with Orange County Major Jerry Demings to discuss anti-trafficking efforts in central Florida.
Seyny and Olivia had the opportunity to discuss One More Child’s multi-disciplinary, trauma-informed approach to combatting human trafficking through our 24/7 Mobile Teams. Mayor Demings thoughtfully received our team’s update on anti-trafficking efforts within his jurisdiction and shared his dedication to the fight against human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
We look forward to continuing this partnership with Mayor Demings, as we collectively work together to end the heinous crime of human trafficking.
Ohio Anti-Trafficking Training: Empowering Law Enforcement
While One More Child’s Anti-Trafficking program began in Florida, our presence has expanded into other states, including Ohio. The Cincinnati-based Mobile Team leads the fight against exploitation in Ohio with knowledge, compassion, and action.
At One More Child, we believe eradicating human trafficking takes all of us working together—nonprofits, churches, government officials, law enforcement, and individuals. We seek to empower our partners in this mission with an understanding of what human trafficking looks like and how to identify victims. One primary way we accomplish this is through training sessions with law enforcement.
Director of Anti-Trafficking Mobile Teams Ohio Danielle Davis, led a training with Harrison Police Department that provided a clear picture of trafficking in the Cincinnati area and discussed methods to identify trafficking cases, intervene effectively, and protect the community’s most vulnerable members.
Read more about this training and One More Child’s Anti-Trafficking program in Ohio.
Traffick Stop: Advancing Policy and Partnerships
One More Child leadership, staff, and advocates traveled to Tallahassee for our annual ‘Traffick Stop’ event to meet with legislators and government officials on anti-trafficking efforts and policy in the state of Florida. This year’s Traffick Stop helped to advance critical policy that will more appropriately prosecute perpetrators of exploitation and protect survivors, as well as establish partnerships with legislators and government officials in Tallahassee.
Over the course of two days, our leadership, staff, and advocates had over 40 meetings with legislative leaders and/or members of their staff. One More Child also led a press conference at the Florida Capitol to raise awareness of the horrors of human trafficking and the pressing need to respond.
During the press conference, One More Child Survivor Leader/Mentor Stacie Ham bravely shared her personal story of human trafficking and exploitation, which started from the age of 2.
“Trafficking involves every single race, age, gender, and ethnicity—and the same way anyone can be a victim, anyone can also exploit someone for their own personal gain. Unlike so many victims that are out there, I was able to leave my situation through the support of some amazing mentors.
“I learned to advocate for myself and fight for the life I knew God intended me to have.
“I’ve often been asked, many times, why as a survivor of human trafficking do I choose to use my experience and to work with One More Child. What I can tell you is, it’s not only because of the mission, but it’s these two important words: one more.
“I was that one more. I was the one more child that needed somebody to run to, to walk alongside, and to advocate that I deserved so much better in this life. I was worth fighting for.”
—Stacie Ham, Survivor Leader/Mentor