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Human Trafficking Unit

Who we are

An innovative trauma-informed law enforcement model for the investigation and prosecution of Human Trafficking. This unit encompasses distinguished, highly trained specialized prosecutors, investigators and victim specialists.

We focus on a dual track approach to do everything in our power to help heal victims while at the same time and with equal vigor, successfully prosecute their abusers.

We focus on a dual track approach to do everything in our power to help heal victims while at the same time and with equal vigor, successfully prosecute their abusers.

790

Cases

Since the inception of the unit, we have filed a total of 790 cases.
(2012-2022)

1044

Victims

We have worked with 1044 victims of Human Trafficking.
(2012-2022)

61%

Local Victims

Approximately 61% are local victims

39%

Out of State Victims

Approximately 39% are out of state victims

Trafficking
a Minor
Trafficking
an Adult

What is the Difference Between Trafficking an Adult Versus a Minor?

For Adults, force, fraud and coercion required. What qualifies as force, fraud, and coercion:

  • Physical force
  • Isolation
  • Confinement
  • Predatory lending
  • Destruction or withholding of immigrations documents
  • Financial harm
  • Drugging

For Minors under the age of 18, no force, fraud, or coercion is required.

General Facts About Human Trafficking

Almost every country in the world is affected by human trafficking and it exists in two forms:

Sexual Exploitation:

  • Prostitution
  • Stripping and Exotic Dancing
  • Webcam Acts
  • Pornography

Labor:

  • Restaurant work
  • Factory/Construction work
  • Begging/Peddling
  • Domestic work/child care
  • Agriculture and Landscaping

Other Facts:

  • Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery.
  • Many victims of human trafficking are forced to work in prostitution or the sexual entertainment industry, domestic servitude, restaurant work, janitorial work, sweatshop factory work, and migrant agricultural work
  • The age of entry into prostitution in the United State is between 12-14 years old for girls, and 11-13 years old for boys.
  • In the U.S 1 in 3 runaway teens are recruited for commercial sex within 48 hours of leaving home.
  • Forced labor and human trafficking is a $150 billion industry worldwide, and $32 billion industry in the United States.

How YOU Can Help End Human Trafficking

Although  human trafficking can be kept hidden behind closed doors, many human trafficking victims and situations can be right under your nose. By knowing the signs, everyone has the ability to discover and prevent human trafficking.

Signs of Human Trafficking:

(The following red flags may be indicators that a person is being commercially sexually exploited)

  • Living with employer
  • Signs of physical abuse
  • Branding (Tattoos) and more...
  • New unexplained jewelry/clothing
  • Controlled communication
  • “Boyfriend” who is controlling
  • Poor living conditions
  • Multiple People in cramped space
  • Inability to speak to individual alone
  • Inconsistencies in retelling of events, scripted or “rehearsed” response
  • Unpaid or paid very little
  • Change in appearance
  • Numerous STDs and pregnancies

Behavior signs:

(The following red flags may be indicators that a person is being commercially sexually exploited)

  • Fear, depression, paranoia or anxiety
  • Discusses sexual situations that aren’t age appropriate
  • Uses slang that is only used in sex – industry
  • Pimp (boyfriend) and associates are referred to as “family”
  • Socializes/stays in motels/hotels that are zones for prostitution
  • Repeat Runaway incidents
  • Is always in the company of/dates older men
  • Attachment to cellular phone
  • Unexcused absences from school
  • Minor has difficulty providing year of birth

Information for Victims

It is the intent of the Florida  Legislature that the perpetrators of human trafficking be penalized for their illegal conduct and that the victims of trafficking be protected and assisted by this state and its agencies (Florida Statute 787.06(1)(d)). As such, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office is dedicated to helping victims of Human Trafficking.

  • Victim Rights:
  • Confidentiality: Any information that makes the victim identifiable is confidential.
  • Petition to Expunge
    A human trafficking victim may petition for the expunction of a criminal history record, including arrests and convictions, for an offense committed while the person was a victim of Human Trafficking, and the offense was committed as part of the human trafficking scheme of which the person was a victim or at the direction of an operator scheme. (Florida Statute 943.0583). To read the statute click on the following link.
  • Important Factors to Know:
    No limitation on how many arrests or convictions can be expunged Excludes offenses listed in 775.084(1)(b)(1)