individuals who may be victims of human trafficking, how to report cases of human trafficking, and resources available to victims. (2) Each licensing board that requires a licensee or certificate holder to complete a course pursuant to this section must include the hour required for completion in the total hours of continuing education required by law for such profession. 3. By Jan. 1, 2021, the licensees or certificate holders shall post in their place of work in a conspicuous place accessible to employees a sign at least 11 inches by 15 inches in size, printed in a clearly legible font and in at least a 32-point type, which substantially states in English and Spanish: “If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in an activity and cannot leave, whether it is prostitution, housework, farm work, factory work, retail work, restaurant work, or any other activity, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text INFO or HELP to 233-733 to access help and services. Victims of slavery and human trafficking are protected under United States and Florida law” (Fl. Law, Chapter 2019-152). Note : The language in the sign above is also available from the state in Mandarin and Creole translations and the NHTH can provide assistance to victims in over 200 languages. The sign may include other information that the individual establishment may require concerning reporting suspected human trafficking.
The following is an example of approved signage:
IDENTIFYING POSSIBLE VICTIMS
● General indicators: ○ Shares a scripted or inconsistent history. ○ Is unwilling or hesitant to answer questions about the injury or illness and shows signs of physical or sexual abuse, medical neglect, sexually transmitted disease, or torture. ○ Is accompanied by an individual who does not let the patient/client speak for themselves, refuses to let the patient/client have privacy, or who interprets for them. ○ Evidence of controlling or dominating relationships (excessive concerns about pleasing a family member, romantic partner, or employer). ○ Demonstrates fearful, nervous, tense, submissive behavior, or avoids eye contact. ○ Is resistant to assistance or demonstrates hostile behavior. ○ Is unable to provide his/her address. ○ Is not aware of his/her location, the current date, or time. ○ Is not in possession of his/her identification documents. ○ Is not in control of his or her own money. ○ Is not being paid or wages are withheld. ● Labor trafficking indicators in addition to the above: ○ Has been abused at work or threatened with harm by an employer or supervisor. ○ Is not allowed to take adequate breaks, food, or water while at work.
In some cases, traffickers select victims because they are living in poverty, are homeless or runaways, unaccompanied teens, children or young adults, or simply appear vulnerable to the trafficker. Victims may have language, cognitive, educational, physical, or employment barriers, are undocumented, or have substance abuse problems that make them susceptible to predators. Other times, they are victims of fraud through lies and promises of certain types of employment when in reality they end up in situation of labor or sexual trafficking or both. Traffickers can work through small businesses, large corporations, hotel, motels, diplomat agencies, health providers, cosmetology businesses, and private residences that may appear legitimate as well as the obvious illicit massage “parlors,” brothels, strip clubs, truck stops, online sites, escort services, street-based prostitution, or houses used for gang and drug activity. Sometimes the contributing factors and venues mentioned above may not be obvious, so it is important to be aware of the indicators of human trafficking. There are a number of red flags that may indicate human trafficking in the healthcare and massage/spa venue. The following general and more specific indicators are part of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC, 2019) which is funded by a grant from the Office on Trafficking in Persons, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):
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Book Code: MFL1225
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