Human trafficking is a reprehensible crime that affects millions of people around the world. In the United States, human trafficking is an urgent and growing problem, with Florida being one of the top states for human trafficking in the country. One More Child is dedicated to providing hope and care to children and families and has made it its mission to combat this heinous crime by providing Christ-centered care to survivors.
Human Trafficking and the Need for Collaborative Efforts
One More Child was among the more than 50 experts from various fields who gathered for a recent roundtable event to combat human trafficking. The event, hosted by U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, R-Lakeland, at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, brought together professionals and leaders who devoted their efforts to restoring human trafficking victims, whether from forced labor or sex work. The attendees included Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, and representatives from various organizations focused on combating human trafficking.
Among these representatives was Jodi Domangue, One More Child’s Executive Director of Anti-Trafficking. She expressed her gratitude to the key stakeholders present, saying, “I want to express my appreciation to Congressman Franklin, Attorney General Moody, and Sheriff Judd for their commitment to this issue and partnership in addressing this epidemic.”
Domangue emphasized the importance of partnership in addressing the issue of human trafficking and acknowledged the progress made possible through collaborative efforts. She highlighted One More Child’s long-standing history of providing Christ-centered services to children and families dating back to 1904. She also emphasized the organization’s critical services for trafficked children and adults that provide hope and healing to survivors.
Addressing the Root Causes of Human Trafficking through Innovative Programming
One More Child began working with a sex-trafficking victim named Jessica in 2016. At the time, Jessica was only 15 years old, but she had been victimized by her own mother since the age of 10. Despite the traumatic experiences, Jessica persevered and this month, she will receive her social work diploma from the University of South Florida. Domangue expressed her pride in Jessica, saying that for the past seven years, the organization has been there for her and will continue to support children like her.
One More Child dedicates itself to eliminating vulnerabilities, preventing exploitation, and ending the abuse cycle of those being exploited through innovative programming that addresses the individualized needs of children and families served.
Turning off the faucet of human trafficking requires education and awareness, as well as meaningful interventions that address the cyclical trauma and poverty that ensnares most victims.
Mitigating Demand for Human Trafficking through Education and Tougher Penalties
Domangue also emphasized the need for education and awareness, particularly for young boys. Demand for human trafficking can be mitigated by educating young boys early and often, and by providing all young children guidance about their own physical and psychological boundaries and how to protect them. She further expounded that turning off demand also requires tougher penalties for traffickers, buyers, and complicit additional parties who are profiting from the sale of people.
To end the cycle of exploitation, it is necessary to implement federal protections for those who are being sold, remove obstacles that keep survivors trapped, and create new opportunities for economic mobility. One More Child’s Anti-Trafficking services focus on eliminating vulnerabilities, prevention and awareness education, and ending the cycle of exploitation by providing survivors with a path toward healing.
To accomplish this, the organization employs a multidisciplinary team of experts, also called a 24/7 Mobile Team, who address the complex issues that hinder recovery by offering comprehensive mobile services. These teams currently serve in 21 counties, including most of the counties represented in the 18th congressional circuit, and are funded through federal VOCA funding.
The Need for Continued Support to End Human Trafficking and Provide Christ-Centered Care
However, Domangue notes that the organization is currently inundated and in need of additional support to effectively serve the needs of survivors. Requests are coming in daily to bring these services to all 67 counties in the state of Florida, but unfortunately, federal funding is being limited in the future.
Despite the reality of limited federal funding, One More Child remains committed to providing hope and healing to survivors. Participation in the roundtable event is a demonstration of the organization’s commitment to ending human trafficking and providing Christ-centered care to those who are served.