My name is Camari Simpson. I was born and raised in Orlando, and currently live in Tallahassee as I’m attending Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in pursuit of my Criminal Justice/Legal Studies degree. Upon finishing my degree, I will be attending law school to further pursue a career in public policy and the legal system.
As the summer season unfolds, it is essential that we come together as a community to address a grave issue that affects countless lives around the world: human trafficking. Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center’s (STAC) Anti-Trafficking Business Training, designed to equip workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and combat human trafficking. Today, I want to share my experience and shed light on this important initiative.
I had the pleasure of working with the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) through an internship during the summer of 2023. I am gratified as I had the opportunity to participate in STACPRO where I finished a human trafficking training course for businesses and other establishments, and where I gained valuable knowledge. During the training, I learned many things that equipped me with the necessary skills to spot human trafficking.
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office has been tapped as one of six law enforcement agencies in the country to help research and combat human trafficking. LCSO will be the only…
Melanie Thompson was trafficked for sex as a teenager. More than a decade ago, I met a scared 15-year-old who was trying to recover her life after having been kidnapped…
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The State of Florida is looking for new ways to fight human trafficking. The Federal Human Trafficking Report shows Florida is one of the top three…
Collier County is not alone here. Sex and labor trafficking take place on hotel premises including right here in Leon County, and throughout Florida is Big Bend.
June is Pride Month, a period dedicated to honoring and celebrating the diverse identities and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. This annual observance has grown in significance, serving as a powerful reminder of the progress we have made toward equality, equity, and inclusion, while also highlighting the ongoing violence and other challenges LGBTQIA+ individuals face, including discrimination, misconceptions, and abuse by their peers, family members, and society. Traffickers target these vulnerabilities and that is why we need to keep a focus on supporting the LGBTQ community all year long.
The Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) is excited to share the release of our new podcast, Imagine Freedom where we hear directly from human trafficking survivors, or “lived-experience” experts. More than anyone, they can dispel the many myths and misconceptions about sex and labor trafficking and help to fortify our communities against traffickers. Together, we can imagine freedom from sex and labor trafficking for everyone, once and for all.
Here is a partial recap and reflection on the 2023 legislative session and human trafficking laws that are going into effect. Thanks to the local journalists and the SunSentinel who…