In this week’s “On the Record,” Todd McDermott discusses ways to bring human trafficking to an end in South Florida.
In an interview with Todd McDermott on WPBF 25’s “On the Record,” Lynne Barletta addressed the alarming human trafficking crisis in South Florida, coinciding with January’s Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Barletta highlighted that Florida ranks third nationally in trafficking cases, with Palm Beach County among the top three counties in the state. Discussing prevention methods, she emphasized the need for community awareness, early education in schools, and strong partnerships with local organizations. Barletta’s efforts through the Florida Faith Alliance, along with collaborations with schools and law enforcement, aim to equip both parents and children with tools to recognize and report trafficking. Her insights during the interview underscored the urgency of empowering communities to understand the manipulative tactics traffickers use, such as false promises and gifts, and to promote safe practices both online and in person.
Barletta’s advocacy sheds light on proactive strategies to halt trafficking before it begins. By educating young people to “Don’t Take the Bait” and resist traffickers’ tactics, she is working to build a community that is vigilant and informed. Her interview called on viewers to be part of the solution and to recognize their role in creating a safe, informed community that protects its children. This message resonates especially in January, a month dedicated to combating and preventing trafficking across the nation