Southwest Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking

The Coalition strives to develop strategies to address all forms of trafficking in Florida. Its main concern is that once extracted from the trafficker, that the victim has immediate crisis housing, medical and mental health assistance as well as long term services such as immigration assistance, financial and education assistance. The Coalition collaborates with state and federal legislators to ensure laws are clear and new ones created as needed to ensure the protection of the victims in the State of Florida.

The Coalition will work to develop human trafficking dedicated funding streams for service providers at the state and federal level. Assisting legislators in recognizing holes in current legislation and the need for funding new services remains a highest priority. Creating collaborations with professionals, often competing service providers business, educational institutes and community volunteers that work toward an accepted non-threatening common goal; victims of human trafficking support and services as well as raising human trafficking awareness in our communities.

Deep expertise in policy work, dedicated non-competing staff and volunteers, name recognition, strong leadership, collaborations that work, innovative use of a small amount of money and a strategic plan to get it there.

In the Coalition's 3 years of activity it has become an expert resource for law enforcement, first responders and the media. It has reached over 5000 individuals in its community awareness programs. It has created a primary Partners Group and is ready to launch a Teen Task Force in October 2017. It has had conversations with dozens of state and federal legislators and has proposed clarification and additions to numerous codes and laws. Next? Get dedicated human trafficking shelters and service centers open throughout Florida through a direct funding stream.