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Being aware of human trafficking trends
FOX 13's Briona Arradondo reports on human trafficking trends to be aware of, including tactics used by human traffickers, possible new prevention laws in 2025, and the effects of human trafficking on Tampa's tourism industry.
TAMPA, Fla. - January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and Tampa Bay organizations are taking note of new trafficking trends as they help survivors and work to prevent further incidents.
"At One More Child, we serve both children and adults. Last year, we served over 1,000 individuals through our anti-trafficking programming, and more than half of them were children," said Jodi Domangue, the vice president of program operations and public policy with One More Child in Polk County.
Domangue said victim advocates are noticing younger and younger victims, and they’re being recruited more through social media apps, gaming and other tactics.
HCSO human trafficking deputy working in the field.
"One of the biggest trends we've seen this year is that a big recruitment tactic that is happening is now called sextortion, and it's where children are being coerced to send photos," said Domangue.
WATCH: Human trafficking prevention month
Domangue described how traffickers are using social media platforms to target children.
"They are even being reached out to on social media apps like Snapchat or Instagram, and someone’s saying, ‘Hey, I got your photos, and if you don't want me to share them, I need some more photos,’" said Domangue. "And that's actually a scam where individuals are reaching out to our children, and our children don't know any better. They think somebody's hacked into their phone."
In Hillsborough County, the Commission on Human Trafficking was established before the 2021 Super Bowl, and Visit Tampa Bay is a member.
READ: Human trafficking awareness campaign ahead of Super Bowl
"Unfortunately, tourism assets may lend themselves to trafficking can happen in a hotel can happen in a motel. A transaction can happen at an airport," said Santiago Corrada, the president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. "So, our industry also has to be aware of those telltale signs that it's happening."
HCSO deputies busting a human trafficking case.
Corrada said they work to share the message with visitors and locals that it’s an existing problem.
"We're not just hoping to affect it here in Hillsborough County. We're working with nearby counties as well because we don't want our people moved to a different county and be trafficked there," said Corrada.
And in 2025, anti-trafficking advocates said harsher penalties are coming. They support upcoming legislation for first-time buyers soliciting prostitution to face a third-degree felony.
READ: Polk County sex offender accused of assaulting deputy caught hiding in Lake Bonnet
"They need to understand the buying and selling of a human being is a big deal. It should not be a misdemeanor," said Domangue. "Florida will be among one of the first states to do it. There are five other states who have already done it, and it's time that we get in line and do the same thing."
Advocates, including One More Child, said they will be in Tallahassee pushing for a human trafficking reduction bill in the next month.
One More Child is an organization pushing for new human trafficking regulations in Florida.
No More Foundation, a Tampa nonprofit that works with survivors, said they are seeing more focus on workforce development for survivors, and they’d like to see treatment courts established in the judicial system.
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