January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. With the education piece in place to bring this heinous crime against people out into the light and the forefront, there are still those who fall through the cracks.
After Saturday’s Osceola County Red Sand Project event, presented by the Central Florida Human Trafficking Task Force, the hope is that those cracks will be filled by law enforcement and awareness.
The county’s law enforcement agencies — Kissimmee Police Department, St. Cloud Police Department, Osceola County Corrections and the Osceola County Sheriff ’s Office — joined with local officials to provide educational efforts for the push to end human trafficking. Those on hand spread red sand in the cracks of the sidewalk outside the Osceola County Courthouse to symbolize those falling through the cracks of the system and bring awareness to exploitation — a bright, red reminder of a pressing issue that operates in the dark shadows. Those shadows are close by, thanks to Osceola County’s direct connection to a tourist destination and easy access to low-cost motels.
Following that demonstration, from there the group walked to the Monument of States near Lakefront Park, where more sand was spread. The intent was for the sand to remain there to remind the community of the daily fight against human trafficking and its effect on the people of the community.
“We are here today to raise awareness of the victims of human trafficking, a vile act of modern-day slavery, and how quickly those innocent victims can fall through the cracks,” St. Cloud Police Chief Doug Goerke said. “It’s concerning that Florida continues be ranked No. 3 (behind Texas and California) for human trafficking cases in this country. These horrific crimes remain a priority for us.”
Those victims eventually become a hidden figure of crime that strips people of their human rights, and reducing them to a commodity that is bought and sold in a multi-million dollar black-market industry.
“That’s not an exaggeration, that is what is taking place, and many of them are young people,” said Ninth District State Attorney Monique Worrell, who is tasked with prosecuting those who are caught and charged with human trafficking, and saving those victims controlled by fear, addiction or manipulation.
“They may not identify as a victim because their trafficker says they love them. This must be stopped, and we can do that by increasing awareness.”
Reporter Terry Lloyd contributed to this story.
