Human Trafficking

From the counter staff issuing a driver license or ID card, to the Florida Highway Patrol trooper on the road, FLHSMV serves almost every Floridian and visitor to our state. In our continuous effort to promote A Safer Florida, FLHSMV is committed to combating human trafficking through education and awareness and rescuing survivors through a coordinated law enforcement effort.

Human Trafficking

This webpage is a resource designed to help educate Floridians, commercial drivers, law enforcement, and visitors to our state on how to identify, report, and respond to human trafficking.

What is Human Trafficking?

Florida law (Statute 787.06) defines human trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery. Victims of human trafficking are young children, teenagers, and adults. Thousands of victims are trafficked annually across international borders worldwide. Many of these victims are trafficked into this state. Victims of human trafficking also include citizens of the United States and those persons trafficked domestically within the borders of the United States. The Legislature finds that victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor.

Traffickers use various techniques to instill fear in victims and to keep them enslaved. Some traffickers keep their victims under lock and key. However, the most frequently used practices are less obvious techniques that include isolating victims from the public and family members; confiscating passports, visas, or other identification documents; using or threatening to use violence toward victims or their families; telling victims that they will be imprisoned or deported for immigration violations if they contact authorities; and controlling the victims’ funds by holding the money ostensibly for safekeeping.

State Launches Human Trafficking Hotline

Florida established a statewide human trafficking reporting number, 855-FLA-SAFE, following concerns about the National Human Trafficking Hotline’s delay in disseminating tips to local law enforcement. Attorney General Ashley Moody, along with Florida’s Statewide Council on Human Trafficking and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, developed the Florida-specific tip line. Gov. Ron DeSantis also recently signed a bill (HB 7063) requiring the new tipline to be displayed on human trafficking awareness signs, encouraging anyone with suspicions of human trafficking to call the designated number. “As a former federal prosecutor, former judge, and the wife of a law enforcement officer, I know that we can be putting these heinous criminals behind bars quicker, sparing other potential victims AND connecting survivors to the resources they need – if tips are sent to police in a timely manner,” said Moody in a statement. Moody Press Release 
 

Report Human Trafficking

The National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
The U.S. Department of Justice Hotline: 1-888-428-7581
Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
Local Authorities: 911 or *FHP (*347)