Course Description: |
The most recent statistics released by the U. S. State Department reflects that there are an estimated 12.3 million adults and children forced into modern-day slavery world-wide and Florida is one of the top three “destination states” within the U.S. for trafficking. It’s not beaches or amusement parks that make our state attractive to traffickers, but the large service industry, agriculture and the presence of international airports, coastlines and other transit ports. Most victims don’t even know their location in the U.S., nor that they have rights under U.S. law. Some victims are Americans, such as the homeless, addicted and runaway populations. Victim advocates will learn how victims are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion to compel them to engage in forced labor or prostitution and debt bondage; and how the use of rape, beatings and confinement is used to break the victim’s resistance to make them easier to control. Participants will gain an understanding of how trafficking may present as other forms of victimization, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. They will also learn about national, state and local resources available to assist victims and explore various strategies for outreach. Approaches for providing special assistance that is unique to this victimization will be explored.
***THIS IS A 16 HOUR COURSE*** |