One on One with Human Trafficking (HT) Advocate Victor B. Williams

SOUTH FLORIDA – Human trafficking in Florida continues to be a problem. South Florida Caribbean News caught up with internationally renowned and respected Human Trafficking (HT) advocate Victor B. Williams. He is the Founder of Quest2freedom (Q2F™), an Anti-Human Trafficking organization dedicated to defeating the global issues surrounding human trafficking through a holistic approach to education, awareness, and advocacy. Q2F™ addresses the cultural roots of human trafficking, which they believe are the foundation and perpetual source of the problem.

The organization provides support through training and identifying resources for all affected. Q2F™ also creates partnerships with communities, law enforcement, governments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to terminate this nightmarish crime. Williams is retired from law enforcement with over 34 years of domestic and international experience.

We asked him a few questions to help us understand what human trafficking is and how we can work as a community to end it.

Q: What is Human Trafficking (HT)?

A: The elements of HT are Force, Fraud, and Coercion. These elements are needed for adults, but if you are under the age of 18, these elements don't apply.

Q: What are the types of human trafficking?

A: Sex trafficking, Labor trafficking, Servature/ Debt bondage, and Organ trafficking.

Q: How can we stop human trafficking?

A: Trafficking must be stopped by addressing the culture and greed that comes with it and perpetuating the issue today. The Trafficking Victim Protection Act of 2000, provides us with our HT laws.

Q: What are the three P's of human trafficking?

A: The three P's: The State Department completes a Trafficking in Person report that grades all countries on the Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution. There's a 4th P that is not part of the grading process, which is Partnership because we all know that one entity addresses this problem alone. 

Q: Is misinformation about human trafficking an issue?

A: Misinformation is a major issue: Yes, and that's why we are taking on the challenge of cultural awareness and education on this subject. I grew up as a male in America, which led to much misinformation about women, relationships, and being a man. But, as I've learned about HT, it's changed me a lot and made me want to eliminate my footprints in that space. If I can change based on the true information I've received, everyone can make changes within themselves and change the culture that perpetuates this horrific crime. The prevention of human trafficking takes all of us to look out for the needs and rights of everyone in our communities.

For more information about Quest2Freedom, visit: https://quest2freedom.org/

If your State or City doesn't have a Human Trafficking hotline, please report to the National Hotline, which is monitored by Polaris (Polaris Project) at 888 3737 888 or text 233733 (Befree).

About Victor Williams

In 1991, Victor joined the U.S. Customs Service, which later became the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In February 2011, Victor was assigned to the DHS Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Miami Office's Human Trafficking Group, and in 2012 he was appointed the Coordinator for the South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force until his retirement on January 1, 2018.

Human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal industry, with more than 50 million victims worldwide. Victor believes cultural awareness and education are key to preventing and combating human trafficking.  His organization's platform includes educating and empowering people through partnerships with community organizations and human-trafficking presentations and workshops.

Victor's passion stems from a belief that everyone can make a significant difference in addressing HT by educating themselves, spreading the word about HT, advocating for laws and policies, and supporting those affected.

After retirement, Victor was recruited as a security consultant for the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Team and later appointed as the Coordinator of the Georgia Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking, the State's first law enforcement-based HT coalition addressing all forms of HT in the State.

He is the President/Founder of V.B. Williams Consulting, LLC. and serves as the Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade County Human Trafficking Coalition. As an instructor, presenter, and class coordinator, Victor has traveled to the International Law Enforcement Academies in Budapest, Hungary, and Gaborone, Botswana. He educated other international law enforcement officers from all over the world on the prevention of HT, protection of victims, prosecution of violators and partnerships with the other anti-human trafficking organizations.

Victor also presented to the Bahamian, Jamaican, and Vietnamese law enforcement communities and prosecuting attorneys. An effort to assist in establishing their HT programs. Additionally, he has also presented to police departments, universities, high schools, and other organizations throughout the United States.

He is an eight and half year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and earned a bachelor's degree from Barry University in Miami, FL. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, traveling, watching good movies, and spending time with his adult daughter.