Gov. Scott Talks Human Trafficking During Miami Stop
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Governor Rick Scott made a stop in Miami Thursday morning to raise awareness on human trafficking.
Scott met with members of Touching Miami with Love, a prevention and recovery organization. The visit highlighted increased funding for human trafficking awareness and prevention. In this year's state budget, Governor Scott committed $3 million for safe houses and rehabilitative services to help protect children who have been victimized by human trafficking. These services are related to community based care and identity protection for victims of human trafficking.
In addition, the budget also provided $6 million to recruit volunteers to represent more than 2,000 vulnerable children through court proceedings, and $2 million was allotted to the PACE Center for Girls.
"Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and is a devastating reality, but we are blessed with wonderful groups around Florida whose mission and goal it is to end the exploitation of those trapped in human trafficking, and to rehabilitate the brave survivors of this horrific crime," said Scott in a statement. "We will continue to invest the resources to end this tragedy and punish those responsible."
This year, Scott signed two bills targeting the illegal industry. The laws remove time limits on prosecuting trafficking crimes and set new guidelines for agencies caring for exploited children.
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