Pasco Raises Awareness of Human Trafficking
Anne Childers, Staff Writer
The Second Annual Light Up The Night Event held January 14th at The Shop at Wiregrass was attended by an estimated 1200 residents and supporters. The event was presented by the David Maus Foundation in partnership with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the Pasco Free Network, and approximately 50 sponsors—both individuals and businesses—with special thanks to the Word of Life Bible Institute.
Over 200 runners participated in the Radiant 5k Run prior to the family-friendly event which featured entertainment, education, awards, and a candlelight vigil.
When the last light had flickered out, $8,000 had been raised for each of the four beneficiary organizations dedicated to helping victims of human trafficking—a tremendous success!!!
Sadly so much more is needed to rescue victims and help restore their broken lives. Human trafficking is a nationwide problem with California, Texas, and Florida ranking as the top three destinations for victims.
On January 1, 2017, California began enforcing Senate Bill 1322 to decriminalize prostitution for minors by preventing police from arresting anyone under 18 for soliciting sex. Supporters of this bill say it prevents trafficked victims from incurring a police record while detractors say it protects the criminal and prevents the victim from being rescued.
Corporal Alan Wilkett, of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office notes Pasco County already decriminalizes victims and strives to obtain rehabilitative services.
“The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has programs and tools in place to break the bonds of trauma and Stockholm Syndrome, but those tools do not come easily, or quickly, or without tremendous financial and human cost. Rescue is only the first step,” explains Wilkett.
Please get involved. Ask yourself how your organization or place of worship can make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable citizens. If you think you have come into contact with a victim of human trafficking, do not become involved personally, but do call one of the professional services trained to recognize and rescue victims.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, The U.S. Department of Justice Hotline at 1-888-428-7581, the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (22873), the local Clearwater/Tampa Bay Area Task Force Hotline at (727) 562-4917 or 911. Pasco FREE (pascoFREE@gmail.com) is accepting members—email for details, and anyone wishing to share information with this publication may send an email to edit101@ddpnews.com.