Florida is a state with lots of tourism and easy access to major bodies of water. Both of these factors can make Florida attractive to human traffickers. So, as it starts getting cold in the rest of the U.S. and Florida’s tourist season gets going, we time we like to remind people to be extra-vigilant for criminal activity especially human trafficking in global cities like Miami. In simplest terms, if you see something off, say something!

What is Human Trafficking?

Human Trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, harboring, or exploiting people via force, coercion, fraud, or deception. This includes forced labor, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, and other threats.

According to the International Labour Organization, this is a $236 billion industry thriving “in the shadows of our global economy” generating profits that rival some of the world’s largest businesses It’s a moral, ethical and human rights issue, as people should not be “For Sale”!

What Options Are Available for Victims?

Human trafficking victims are often forced to participate in illegal activities, and, as a result, they may have a criminal record. A criminal record can make it difficult for survivors to rebuild their lives. The legal process of sealing and expungement offers a powerful remedy, allowing survivors to move forward with a clean slate and open doors to new opportunities.

🔑 Sealing vs. Expungement: Sealing and expungement offer two different forms of relief. While expungement erases convictions from public records, sealing conceals records from public view, with both offering crucial protection from discrimination.

🔑 The Power of Florida Statute 943.0583: This specific law allows human trafficking survivors to petition for the expungement of criminal records for offenses committed while they were victims of trafficking. This is a critical legal remedy that acknowledges the survivor’s unique circumstances.

🔑 A fresh start: Understanding the petition process for vacating criminal records is critical for legal professionals helping human trafficking survivors regain control of their future.

The Human Trafficking Hotline offers several options to reporting human trafficking.

Jessie Torres, Esq. is a co-founder of Journey for Justice (JFJ) , a project of the Miami-Dade Bar Foundation that harnesses the collective resources, expertise, and philanthropic spirit of Florida’s legal community to combat human trafficking across the state. It was co-founded by four legal professionals: Jessie Torres, Esq. (McDermott Will & Schulte), Emily Bartkowicz (Akerman), Lucian van Schlun (Disco) and Eileen Penta. The goal is to raise awareness and assist with community fundraising, pro bono legal services and representation for survivors via training and outreach, JFJ aims to prevent trafficking, support survivors, and funnel critical resources to high-impact anti-trafficking initiatives – all driven by collaboration, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to human rights.