U.S. Attorney's Office Observes National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Tampa, FL – January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. To commemorate this month, United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg renews his Office’s commitment to prosecuting human traffickers, protecting victims, empowering survivors, and preventing the proliferation of these abhorrent crimes.

In recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reaffirms that vindicating the rights of human trafficking victims and other vulnerable persons ranks among its highest priorities.

“Human trafficking is a crime of exploitation,” said U.S. Attorney Handberg. “Whether it’s forced labor, domestic servitude, or sex trafficking of children and adults, human trafficking is the exploitation of human beings for profit and has no place in any society. That’s why in January and throughout the year, my Office’s dedicated prosecutors, victim witness coordinators, and support personnel work with our law enforcement partners to combat human trafficking and bring offenders to justice.”

Anyone who has information about a potential human trafficking situation or a person who may be experiencing human trafficking should contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.

Information on the Office’s work to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/humantrafficking.

To enhance awareness and educate the community about human trafficking, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has released a Public Service Announcement on how to identify potential trafficking situations and where to report suspected human trafficking activity.