Maria Sachs, as State Senator, lecturing at Palm Beach State College about Human Trafficking
The oldest and today the second most profitable cash business in the world is Human Trafficking. It is difficult to imagine as we live in one of the most civilized countries, that today, children are bought and sold in the sex trade, or adults are bartered for labor trafficking.
As we recognize Human Trafficking it is significant that we acknowledge this crime in January, the first month of the year. It is a horrific crime that occurs every day of every year here in the state of Florida. We don't like to recognize it, nor do we like to own up to it, yet Florida and especially South Florida ranks as the site for thousands of trafficked children bought and sold.
While in the Florida State Senate, and a member of the Gubernatorial Taskforce Against Human Trafficking, I worked with other legislators in passing laws that enhance the penalties against the perpetrators, the placement of signs in transit stations, airports, and bus stations that offer a toll-free number for help.
Today there are a number of bills passing through the Legislature that will focus on giving support to victims as they navigate thru the criminal justice system.
Let us all be the eyes and ears of law enforcement as we say:
Not here! These are our children! We will protect them!
-Maria Sachs-
