In a powerful effort to combat the alarming rise of human trafficking in Florida, Place of Hope recently hosted a series of free workshops across Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. The events drew dozens of parents and students, all eager to learn how to protect themselves and their loved ones from the dangers of online predators, grooming and human trafficking. Florida, which ranks third in the nation, and Palm Beach County, which ranks third in the state for calls to the National Trafficking Hotline, is facing a hidden epidemic of human trafficking that often occurs right in front of us.
The workshops, which kicked off last week at Place of Hope’s Kid’s Sanctuary campus, located west of Florida’s Turnpike near Wellington, provided crucial insights into recognizing the warning signs of human trafficking and taking preventive measures. These sessions are designed to equip middle and high school students, as well as their parents, with the knowledge needed to stay safe in a world where the internet has become a primary tool for predators.
Kristen Adams, an “angel mom” with Place of Hope and one of the key organizers of the workshops, emphasized the critical role of awareness and communication in protecting children. “I’m a mom at home, and I’m also an aunt to lots of nieces and nephews,” Adams said. “We grow up in a home that we think is safe, but once our children walk outside our doors, they’re open to the entire world. Cell phones are changing the way that we parent, and we have to be aware and knowledgeable about what to look for — not just with our own children, but with others — so we can help protect them all.”
Adams highlighted the importance of parental controls and monitoring apps like Bark and Qustodio, which provide parents with insights into what their children are exposed to online. “It’s our job to know what they’re getting into, even if it means not winning the popular vote with our kids,” she added.
The workshops also provided practical tips for parents to identify potential trafficking situations in their neighborhoods. Some of the red flags discussed included excessive security measures at a house, blacked-out windows, and unusual amounts of traffic in and out of a residence. Parents were also advised to watch for sudden changes in their children’s behavior, such as new tattoos or expensive items that they cannot explain, as these could be indicators of exploitation.
Jamie Bond Ciancio, director of advancement for Place of Hope North County and the leader of the workshop, stressed the often-overlooked reality of human trafficking. “What is most shocking for people to find out is that human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children are not what we think they are when it comes to Hollywood,” Ciancio said. “Ninety percent of the children and youth who are being exploited, sexually abused and trafficked know their perpetrator.”
Ciancio encouraged parents to foster open communication with their children, making them feel safe and understood rather than focusing on punishment. “If they feel those things at home, we’ve seen success in opening dialogues to have these tough conversations,” she said, adding that when it comes to internet chat rooms, you shouldn’t be talking to someone you can’t text or call on the phone.
The workshops were a stark reminder of the vigilance required to protect children in today’s digital age. In addition to education and outreach, Place of Hope has also taken in more than 50 human trafficking survivors, providing foster care, housing, support and rehabilitation services.
Since its inception, Place of Hope has taken in thousands of other abused, neglected and homeless youths, and has provided services for more than 40,000 youth, young adults and families. For more information, visit www.placeofhope.com. To report suspected human trafficking, call the Florida Human Trafficking Hotline at (855) 352-7233, Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-8477(TIPS) or call 911.
