Human trafficking court program in Hillsborough County canceled
Human trafficking court program in Hillsborough canceled Bay News 9
sdgtalks
Hillsborough County Program Supporting Human Trafficking Victims Discontinued
A program in Hillsborough County that provided support services to human trafficking victims facing legal charges, such as counseling, case management, shelter, health care, and immigration assistance, has been discontinued.
What You Need To Know
- The goal of the specialized court was to intervene and stop further trafficking exploitation
- It was held once a month and included a specifically appointed judge, prosecutors, and specially trained personnel to support victims
- According to a 13th Judicial Circuit Administrative Order, the program is being canceled after nearly four years
The specialized court aimed to intervene and prevent further exploitation of trafficking victims. It provided vital support to individuals like Kim Figueroa, who had experienced both child and adult sex trafficking.
“I was trafficked for roughly six years as an adult across the states. I was a federal case,” she said. “There is a lot of trauma with that.”
After extensive efforts to recover from her past, Figueroa became involved with the anti-trafficking group ‘More Too Life’, where she now serves as a mentor.
“Now it is my pleasure to jump back in the fire to help other victims,” said Figueroa.
Many of the cases she handled were through Hillsborough County’s human trafficking court, also known as the juvenile option court.
The specialized court was held once a month and involved a specifically appointed judge, prosecutors, and specially trained personnel to support victims.
However, according to a 13th Judicial Circuit Administrative Order, the program is being canceled after nearly four years. The order states that the cancellation is necessary for the efficient and effective utilization of judicial resources.
“I went through the foster care system, DJJ system. I know if there was an options court when I was being trafficked that would have helped me,” Figueroa expressed.
Florida is ranked as the third highest state for human trafficking cases and second for labor trafficking cases by the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking.
In 2021, over 230 cases of human trafficking were reported in the Tampa Bay area.
According to Florida Health, half of all human trafficking victims in Florida are minors.
Based on the National Human Trafficking Hotline, in 2019, there were 734 human trafficking cases involving women, 125 cases involving men, and three cases involving gender minorities.
“We see more of the domestic minor sex trafficking in the state of Florida,” Figueroa stated.
Dawn Sakes, the executive director of More to Life, expressed concern about the impact of removing this court on the services available to victims.
“We are not getting as many referrals, so these children may not be receiving services,” said Sakes.
More to Life handles three types of human trafficking, including sex trafficking, forced labor, and the challenging-to-detect domestic servitude.
Sakes believes that connecting victims with mentors immediately can increase the success rate of prosecuting these types of cases.
However, Figueroa believes that this is only the beginning.
“A lot of people like to think they are rescued, not realizing this is a lifelong journey of healing. This takes years. This gives an opportunity to heal and flourish into who we were meant to be,” she said.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses human trafficking, which is a violation of human rights and directly relates to the goals of gender equality, decent work and economic growth, and peace, justice, and strong institutions.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
The article highlights the need to address violence against women and girls, eradicate forced labor and human trafficking, and end the exploitation and abuse of children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of reported human trafficking cases
- Proportion of human trafficking cases involving women, men, and gender minorities
- Number of human trafficking victims receiving support services
The article mentions the number of reported human trafficking cases in the Tampa Bay area, the breakdown of cases by gender, and the concern about the impact of removing the specialized court on the number of victims receiving services. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the targets.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres | Number of reported human trafficking cases |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking | Proportion of human trafficking cases involving women, men, and gender minorities |
| Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking | Number of human trafficking victims receiving support services | |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | Number of reported human trafficking cases involving children |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: baynews9.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
