Fort Lauderdale

FDWO Recognized by Florida Legislature for its work in Human Trafficking Awareness
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FDWO Recognized by Florida Legislature for its work in Human Trafficking Awareness

TALLAHASSEE – On Tuesday April 18th Dr. Lavern Deer, HT Advocate, Founder and CEO of Female Development World Organization (FDWO) was recognized in the Florida Senate by Senator Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens) and on Wednesday April 19th in the Florida House by Representative Felecia S. Robinson (D-Miami Gardens) for the organizations work in human trafficking…

House panel OK's bill boosting safe house protections against human trafficking – Florida Politics
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House panel OK's bill boosting safe house protections against human trafficking – Florida Politics

A bill designed to improve human trafficking awareness, security and conditions at child and adult safe houses across Florida is now advancing in the Legislature’s lower chamber. The House Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee voted unanimously to advance the measure (HB 1557) after some members voiced concern about enforcement and cost. The bill will mirror…

YMCA OF SOUTH FLORIDA'S TEEN BROADWAY PRESENTS REAL LIFE VIEW OF LIVES …
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YMCA OF SOUTH FLORIDA'S TEEN BROADWAY PRESENTS REAL LIFE VIEW OF LIVES …

Recognizing that human trafficking is a significant threat to inner city youth, students in the YMCA of South Florida’s Teen Broadway, an enrichment literacy program focused on the arts in assisting and educating students to develop life skills, such as problem-solving, team building, collaboration, creativity, public speaking and pre/post media production, present Adamma the Enlightening,…

After Sun Sentinel investigation, Florida's Democrats in Congress call on state leaders to …
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After Sun Sentinel investigation, Florida's Democrats in Congress call on state leaders to …

Florida’s eight Democratic members of Congress called on Gov. Ron DeSantis and state legislative leaders Wednesday to reform state laws to protect children from sex trafficking, citing a South Florida Sun Sentinel investigation, Innocence Sold, published late last year. In a letter, the delegation asked for “immediate action,” saying they were writing to “express our…

Events Scheduled to Commemorate National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
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Events Scheduled to Commemorate National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

SOUTH FLORIDA – On Wednesday, January 11 the Female Development World Organization (FDWO) will commemorate national Human Trafficking Awareness Day with two events. The first event will be the 2nd Annual National Day of Prayer. It is scheduled for 6:30a.m. to 7:30a.m. via Zoom (ID 873 8812 2881 Passcode: 696899; Mobile: 646-931-3860).   Farm Share Food…

Innocence Sold: ‘Kidnapping, human trafficking, murder.’ What happened to missing teen Sophie Reeder?
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Innocence Sold: ‘Kidnapping, human trafficking, murder.’ What happened to missing teen Sophie Reeder?

Third of four parts. It was after midnight, and her father was asleep. Fifteen-year-old Sophie Reeder slipped out of her Fort Lauderdale home wearing a short black skirt, high-top sneakers, a leopard-print coat and headphones. Her hair was neatly twisted into side buns. She took nothing with her. In her bedroom, she left a stack…

‘Is This a Joke?’: Man Traveling With 2 Daughters Says He Was Accused of Human Trafficking
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‘Is This a Joke?’: Man Traveling With 2 Daughters Says He Was Accused of Human Trafficking

A Florida father traveling with his two daughters said he was stopped at the airport and humiliated in front of other passengers as authorities accused him of human trafficking. Jonathan Marcu said he took his daughters to New York where they saw a Billy Joel concert and had a great time before returning to Florida…

Innocence Sold: Despite law, sex trade flourishes at hotels – Sun Sentinel
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Innocence Sold: Despite law, sex trade flourishes at hotels – Sun Sentinel

First of four parts. The assault spilled into the fifth-floor hallway of the Plaza Hotel on State Road 7 in Fort Lauderdale. Angry that a 17-year-old girl refused to turn over the full $200 take from two sexual encounters with men, Damion Miller allegedly struck her and choked her. She fled the room and ran…

South Florida Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking Offenses Against Minor Girls
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South Florida Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking Offenses Against Minor Girls

MIAMI — A 26-year-old Broward County man was sentenced today in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., by U.S. District Court Judge William P. Dimitrouleas to 30 years in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiring to traffic minor girls for commercial sex. On August 11, 2022, following a four-day trial, a federal jury found Kerby…

Center opens for victims of human trafficking in Palm Beach County
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Center opens for victims of human trafficking in Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County ranks third in the state for situations involving human trafficking, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. A new center opened Wednesday in West Palm Beach to help victims It’s called the FLITE Center — or Fort Lauderdale Independence, Training & Education Center. “This is so exciting- this has just been…