ORLANDO  |  Every year hundreds of thousands of youths are trafficked around the country, and Orlando ranks third per capita in the nation for reported human trafficking cases.

The Ministries of Holy Family Parish have partnered with the Diocese of Orlando Human Trafficking Task Force to tackle this growing problem during its second Human Trafficking Symposium Sept. 14.

Titled “Shields Up, What You Need to Know to Protect Your Children from Human Trafficking,” it is designed to bring awareness to youth and adults, ages 13 and older, about the issue of human trafficking that is happening in their hometowns. Labor and sex trafficking is a growing problem and can be found in just about every city in the nation.

Sex trafficking applies to all races, genders, and economic status. It is one of the fastest growing industries in crime (in 2019 62% of victims in the U.S. were sex trafficked).

The symposium begins with Mass at 8:30 a.m. and runs from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Holy Family Parish, 5125 S. Apopka Vineland Road, and is open to all residents from Greater Orlando and its surrounding communities.

The conference will include speakers who will inform on how to recognize the warning signs and indicators of human trafficking, barriers to getting help, online and media influences, and resources available to report, prevent and combat human trafficking. A human trafficking survivor and local and federal members of law enforcement will share their experiences. Youth attendees also will be able to participate in a hands-on workshop about internet safety. Attendees are encouraged to bring items to put into survival backpacks for human trafficking victims.

Sexual exploitation and labor trafficking is a $150 billion world market and a $31 billion industry in the United States. Girls between the ages of 12 and 14 and boys between 11 and 13 are most commonly targeted through the internet, social media, malls, and elsewhere in the community. Awareness is key to identifying and reporting on this underreported crime of “modern slavery.”

The event is free. Register at the following link. The link may also be used for financial donations and to view the list of backpack items needed for trafficking survivors. For more information or to support the event, contact branchhforlando@gmail.com.

Staff Report, August 23, 2024