An alarming rate of sex trafficking occurs in front of our eyes every day. In the United States, a child is lured into sex trafficking every two minutes. In fact, Florida ranks 3rd in the nation for the highest amount of reported human trafficking cases. Did you know that sex traffickers are targeting younger and younger victims? Do you know how to protect against human trafficking?

Learn how to identify the signs of human trafficking and how to protect children from being trafficked at the awareness rally taking place in Miami Beach:

What : Are Children in South Florida Vulnerable to Sex Trafficking?

When : Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Where : Colony Theatre, Lincoln Road Mall, 1040 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Time : 6:30pm-8:00pm

“Protecting our kids from sex trafficking starts with awareness”, says Jorge Veitia, Executive Director of The Life of Freedom Center. “The best way to protect children from sex trafficking is talk with the children in your life about how to recognize the signs of exploitation and learn how to report it. It’s also important for parents to get to know their children and their friends, what they’re doing on social media, while away from home, and at school.”

Attendees will hear a presentation on sex trafficking in South Florida and watch the anti-trafficking documentary “Chosen”, the shocking true stories of two American teenage girls manipulated and exploited by sex trafficking. There will also be a Q&A with experts such as the City of Miami Beach Police, Department of Homeland Security, Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Kristi House’s Project GOLD and The Life of Freedom Center, as well as representatives from local organizations offering ways that residents can get involved.

Officials and local representatives at Miami Beach High awareness assembly, 2007. Pictured far right, Jorge Veitia.

The City of Miami Beach formed the Human Rights Committee in 2010 with the purpose of promoting goodwill, and minimizing or eliminating discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital and familial status, age or disability. This event is part of a long term strategy towards their efforts to keep our community’s children safe.

The City of Miami Beach Human Rights Committee will be collecting Hope Totes at the event for distribution to local law enforcement and victim service organizations. These Hope Totes are care packages that emergency responders can give to human trafficking survivors at the time of rescue. Find out how to assemble a Hope Tote by visiting https://lofcenter.org/programs/hopetotes/

For more information, contact Jorge Veitia at jveitia@lofcenter.org