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Orlando, Florida is the #1 family vacation spot in the United States according to U.S. News and World Report and at the top of other lists by Today, Good Housekeeping and other venues. Florida is a melting pot of a variety of peoples, cultures and ethnicities.
We have virtually everything for everyone…
Theme parks.
Restaurants.
Shopping.
Resorts.
Museums.
Festivals.
Professional sports.
Outdoor activities.
And beaches and Kennedy Space Center within close proximity.
We are also a major hub for human trafficking…
Florida is ranked third in the United States and Orlando is ranked number six among U.S. cities with most of the activity occurring along the Orange Blossom Trail corridor. Earlier in the year, there was a human trafficking sting where more than 200 people were arrested. You can read more about it here:
https://www.wesh.com/article/human-trafficking-arrests-florida/42940595
I had heard of human trafficking, but didn’t truly understand the magnitude and proximity of it to where we live. All of the information in this blog was provided by a nonprofit organization called Harbour Hope International. Representatives from Harbour Hope came to speak at one of our monthly Coldwell Banker Cares (CB Cares) meetings. And I have to say it was a huge eye-opener with information I thought I’d share.
Human trafficking is a global pandemic.
6.5 billion – Cost to purchase one NFL team.
91.4 billion – Cost to purchase all 32 NFL teams.
150 billion – Human Trafficking Industry per year.
It is a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals perform labor or services through the use of force, fraud or coercion. It involves both labor and sex trafficking and frequently occurs with children who still live at home.
40 million people are trafficked worldwide.
1 in 4 victims are children.
The most common age a child enters trafficking is 12-14.
Physical indicators include branding tattoos (to show ownership) inside the mouth or on the arm, neck, chest or eyelids.
Behavioral indicators include preoccupation with getting money, increased online behavior, question avoidance, lying age or if one appears frightened, resistant or belligerent. And often times language used will include words such as “track,” “the life” or “the game.” Look to your kids for large amounts of cash, multiple cell phones, multiple hotel room keys or a history of running away.
Human trafficking in Real Estate is common where agents should look for:
- An open house with an unusually high amount of traffic.
- School-aged children who are not in school in a home that is empty or in an open house.
- Locks on interior doors and windows.
The grooming process largely takes place online.
95% of US teens are online.
24% are online constantly.
81% use some form of social media.
71% use more than one social media side.
91% post photos of themselves.
71% post where they live and go to school.
84% post their interest and likes.
Predators use this information to entice, nurture and manipulate children. They invite kids to share and keep secrets which in turn develops trust leading kids to believe they are a friend. Predators pose as individuals closer to their age selling lies then flip the switch.
What makes a child vulnerable to a predator is if a child seeks love and acceptance, wants to fit in, feels misunderstood and is insecure or lonely or may have a history of abuse. It’s worth mentioning that every teen feels this way from time to time. Predators make it their mission to find out a child’s hopes, dreams and hurts so they can break down their defenses and exploit them. Perpetrators are often individuals’ known to the family and may be acquaintances, influential members of the community or even trusted friends and even family members.
You can protect your children by having them…
Think before they post.
Tell you if someone sends or requests explicit images.
Remember that there are no take backs when you post or share something.
Tell you if someone online is sending threatening messages.
Get parent approval before opening or downloading new apps.
Respect others online and don’t share information that might hurt or embarrass someone.
Make sure they understand they cannot recognize a predator disguised as a kid.
Teach them how to recognize grooming tactics i.e. relationship building, gifts, jobs, promise of a better life or offering love and romance.
Remember the three C’s…
- Keep CURRENT with technology and basic knowledge on new products.
- Keep COMMUNICATING with your children about everything they experience on the Internet knowing their lingo and asking when you don’t understand something.
- Keep CHECKING your children’s Internet activity and let them know you will be checking and help them understand the Internet is a public forum and never truly private.
Harbour Hope International believes everyone can do something and provide community awareness and education, mentorship, life skills and leadership development programs. Currently, they are in the process of developing a sustainable and scalable community (called The Harbour) to serve, house and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking and their children. You can learn more about their organization, The Harbour and opportunities to volunteer, advocate and donate using the following link:
https://harbourhope.org/
Resources
https://www.defendyoungminds.com/products
https://sharedhope.org/what-we-do/prevent/awareness/internetsafety/
https://internetsafety101.org/quickguides
National Human Trafficking Resource Center
http://www.traffickingresourcecenter.org/
1-888-373-7888 (24/7)
