Dedicated to supporting trafficking survivors throughout the year, One More Child played a meaningful role in raising awareness of human trafficking during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
Here are some key highlights.
Calling for Change
Legislators, law enforcement leaders, and advocates united with One More Child for a press conference at the Florida State Capitol, spotlighting the battle against child sex trafficking. The press conference was part of the statewide campaign “Traffick Stop,” aligned with Human Trafficking Prevention Month. One More Child added its voice to the call for increasing awareness about the pervasive issue of child sex trafficking, urging policymakers to endorse legislation aimed at enhancing protection for minors and aiding survivors on their journeys to healing.
Recognized for Supporting Survivors
In a ceremony recognizing January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Attorney General Moody presented a Florida Cabinet resolution to One More Child at the Florida Sheriffs Association headquarters in Tallahassee, praising the organization’s role in supporting trafficking survivors and its contributions to the prevention of this heinous crime in Florida.
Dr. Jerry Haag, President of One More Child, expressed gratitude for Attorney General Moody’s commitment to eradicating child sex trafficking. He highlighted the crucial partnership between One More Child, the Attorney General’s office, and the law enforcement community in reaching survivors during their darkest times.
On the Steps of the Florida Capitol
Leaders from One More Child, including President and CEO Dr. Jerry Haag, joined Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez and other stakeholders for a press conference on the steps of the Florida capitol steps to address the fight against human trafficking. Dr. Haag emphasized the organization’s commitment to providing services to vulnerable children and families affected by trafficking. Lieutenant Governor Nuñez affirmed Governor DeSantis’s commitment to supporting survivors.
One More Child utilizes trauma-informed, multi-disciplinary teams to meet the unique needs of trafficking survivors, collaborating with law enforcement and state partners to connect victims to recovery services.
Stewards of More Than a Mission
In response to an unexpected federal budget cut, mainly to money provided by the Victims of Crime Act, One More Child is proactively exploring alternative funding to address a funding gap of $1.3 million for its Anti-Trafficking program. Unfortunately, the budget reduction would significantly affect the organization’s capacity to deliver essential services such as emergency shelters, crisis intervention, and counseling to survivors of human trafficking.
To counteract this financial challenge, One More Child is strategically seeking private donations and planning upcoming fundraisers – including a golf tournament in June and a gala scheduled for November – ensuring critical services to vulnerable populations go uninterrupted.
In the News in North Carolina
In a news piece dedicated to dispelling many of the myths surrounding human trafficking, North Carolina’s ABC11 News spotlighted One More Child and its crucial role in the fight against modern-day slavery.
Ranked among the top 10 states for human trafficking, One More Child’s Anti-Trafficking team in North Carolina works tirelessly to bridge gaps in resources, collaborate with law enforcement, provide trauma-informed care, and remind survivors of their worth in Christ.
In an interview, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley echoed One More Child’s experience – that the emotional yet rewarding journey of obtaining justice for trafficking survivors is worth it.
Practical Steps for You
National Human Trafficking Prevention Month is over, but you can still advocate against human trafficking by taking practical steps. Raising awareness is the primary method of fighting human trafficking on any scale – local, national, and global. Your representatives want to hear from you – voice your support for anti-trafficking legislation. Consider the following:
- Locally: First, engage with your local representatives to support anti-trafficking bills. In Florida, this includes SB1590, SB1196, and CS/HB 1, which address issues ranging from penalties for first-time buyers to safety measures for minors on social media.
- Nationally: On the federal level, you can support acts like the STOP CSAM Act, EARN IT Act, SHIELD Act, Project Safe Childhood Act, and REPORT Act to support the fight against online child sexual exploitation.
- With your Vote: Then, speak up with your vote. Your vote can make a significant impact on the lives of the human trafficking survivors One More Child serves. After you engage with your representatives, speak out supporting these legislative initiatives with your vote.
Finally, your financial support to anti-trafficking organizations like One More Child is what makes it possible to lead trafficking survivors on a journey of healing and stand beside them on their path to victory. Will you partner with One More Child to stop human trafficking in your community?
Resources and References
Learn more about anti-trafficking in our whitepaper and resource for this article, The Value of Human Trafficking Awareness.
FLORIDA
- SB1590 Addresses Prostitution Statute. Increases penalties for first-time buyers
- SB1196 Default To Safety Bill
- SB796 Hotline Number Revisions, Increased training for lodging businesses, requires attestation for non-coerced labor.
- CS/HB 1 Requires minors to be 16 years of age to have social media accounts and use reasonable age verification methods.
FEDERAL
- The STOP CSAM Act supports victims and increases accountability and transparency for online platforms;
- The EARN IT Act removes tech’s blanket immunity from civil and criminal liability under child sexual abuse material laws and also establishes a National Commission on Online Child Sexual Exploitation Prevention;
- The SHIELD Act ensures that federal prosecutors have appropriate and effective tools to address the nonconsensual distribution of sexual imagery;
- The Project Safe Childhood Act, which modernizes the investigation and prosecution of online child exploitation crimes; and,
- The REPORT Act combats the rise in online child sexual exploitation by establishing new measures to help strengthen the reporting of those crimes to the CyberTipline.