We are on the front lines of combatting the egregious issue of human trafficking in our community by providing high-quality, targeted therapeutic programs and tailored case management to our adult and minor survivors and our at-risk youth. We also are providing safe and stable neighborhood foster care for survivors and at-risk youth under 18 years old, and affordable transitional housing for survivors or at-risk youth over 18 years old. All survivors and at-risk youth receive education and enrichment opportunities and independent life skills development programming that we provide throughout our footprint. By providing safe and stable, loving, and supportive family environments, affordable transitional housing and independent life skills programming, and high-quality case management for all our residents, we are reducing their vulnerabilities to become victims of grooming, sextortion and trafficking.
Additionally, we are upstream helping prevent grooming, sextortion and child exploitation from happening in our community through community outreach, anti-human trafficking workshops and presentations, social events, and our documentary Invisible. Place of Hope partners with Crimes Stoppers Palm Beach County, the Florida Human Trafficking Victims Fund, Office of the Florida Attorney General, and the Collective (a web-based initiative).
Report a crime with Crime Stoppers now
Help us today in breaking the cycle of exploitation and trafficking. Email [email protected] to learn more.
Watch our short documentary, Invisible:
Am I Seeing Something?
The best way to help is to pay attention to people you actually know or interact with – your students, children, siblings, friends, patients, co-workers, neighbors, etc. Some potential indicators are:
- Sudden and drastic changes in style/clothing, or behavior changes (withdrawn, depressed, aggressive, etc.), unusually tired, absent from school
- Newly showered with gifts or money or otherwise become the object of an overwhelming, fast-moving and asymmetric (young/older; wealthy/struggling) romantic relationship
- Developing a relationship which seems “too close” with someone they know solely on social media
- Offered a job opportunity that appears too good to be true
- Cuts, bruises, burns and other marks on body
Some Questions to Consider Asking:
- Are you able to freely come and go or can you come and go as you please?
- Do you have control over you own money?
- Can you leave your job or situation if you want?
- Have you been threatened or has anyone threatened your family?
- Is anyone forcing you to do anything you do not want to do?
- Are you physically being harmed in any way?
- Have you ever been deprived of food, water, sleep or medical care?
- What are your working or living conditions like?
How to Safely Report
If you suspect someone you know is being trafficked or abused or are witnessing it, call your local law enforcement (911). To remain anonymous, call your local victims’ advocate 24 hour helpline. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is also available for suspicion reports or incidents not currently happening.
Palm Beach County Victim Advocate: 866-891-7273
Treasure Coast Victim Advocate: 800-962-2873
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888