The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida has issued a public appeal for assistance in combating child trafficking and exploitation. The office stated that while it remains committed to enforcing laws against these crimes, public support is crucial.
According to a press release from the office, this call to action coincides with National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida said, "Attentive and engaged parents, teachers, family and friends are our first-line defense against human traffickers and child predators. As your US Attorney and a concerned parent, I implore you to do your best to monitor your children’s online presence, social media communications, and use of electronic devices. But hopefully, by talking to our children, educating them about internet safety and stranger danger, we can ward off the perils of human trafficking, sextortion, and other deviant means of child exploitation."
The press release also provided advice for parents on how best to prevent child trafficking. In addition to educating children about potential risks, parents are urged to monitor their children’s online activity closely. This includes instructing children not to communicate with strangers online and regularly checking their social media activity. Parents are also encouraged to familiarize themselves with their child's friends and whereabouts while discussing the potential dangers of interacting with strangers.
The U.S. Attorney's office cited several examples of prosecuted individuals who had used the internet and social media platforms specifically to manipulate children. One man was sentenced in December 2023 to more than 19 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to sending explicit messages to a minor via Snapchat.
Lapointe emphasized the commitment towards protecting children in his statement: "The protection of children is among our nation’s highest obligations. Within our district, the prosecution of those who sexually exploit, target, and engage in the trafficking of children continues to be the utmost priority. Our Office, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to identify and bring to justice those individuals who carry out these heinous crimes against the most innocent among us - our children."
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ) website, many of these cases have been brought forward by Project Safe Childhood (PSC). Launched by the DOJ in May 2006, PSC is a nationwide initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the US Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), PSC combines federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute individuals exploiting children online while also identifying and rescuing victims.
