Pinellas County Leaders Urge Heightened Awareness Of Human Trafficking Ahead Of Super Bowl

From the Pinellas County Government:

January 25, 2021

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. County officials are asking the public to remain vigilant for the signs that someone is being trafficked leading up to and during Super Bowl LV in Tampa the weekend of Feb. 7.

Human trafficking is common during big events due to the influx of out-of-town visitors. Human traffickers often use force, fraud and coercion to exploit workers for commercial sex or forced labor. Anyone who sees something they suspect is human trafficking is urged to report it as soon as possible.

The Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes Pinellas County Human Services, has launched a free app on the iTunes and Google Play stores where anyone can anonymously report suspected human trafficking incidents directly to local Task Force investigators.

The Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force focuses on three core areas: education, rescue and enforcement. More information about the Task Force is available at https://police.stpete.org/human-trafficking-task-force/.

Anyone who observes or suspects that Human Trafficking is occurring should report it on the app or text “HTTF” to tip411, adding a space, typing in their tip information, and hitting send. Alternately, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888 or text INFO or HELP to 233-733 to access help and services.

This press release was produced by the Pinellas County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.