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Hernando County proclaims January 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and heard brief remarks from local nonprofits and law enforcement about prevention, victim services and the need to reduce demand.
The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 14 unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming January 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
The resolution notes federal law and describes trafficking as the forced or fraudulent recruitment, harboring or transportation of people for labor or commercial sex. Commissioners heard from local nonprofit and law-enforcement representatives who urged public vigilance and expanded prevention and victim services.
Janine Kelsey, director of the Children's Advocacy Center of Hernando County, said the county’s human-trafficking task force brings together nonprofits, law enforcement and the Florida Department of Children and Families to respond to child and adult victims. ‘‘When we get calls for possible human trafficking cases ... these are the people that respond,’’ Kelsey said.
Alan Wilkin, a volunteer with Warrior 321, urged residents to ‘‘look at the kids, pay attention to them’’ and to support local prevention work. ‘‘The frontline workers that’s gonna make a difference ... are these detectives, it’s Janine, it’s the nonprofits who are working along with you to make a difference,’’ Wilkin said.
Sergeant Sean Galarza of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, who identified himself as supervising the Internet Crimes Against Children and human-trafficking unit, introduced detectives and a detection K-9 who were present at the meeting.
Commissioner comments praised local nonprofits and law enforcement. Commissioner Campbell thanked DCF and highlighted K-9 Riley at the sheriff’s office; Commissioner Champion and others said reducing demand and state-level changes could reduce trafficking.
The board approved the proclamation by voice vote. After the vote the commissioners posed for photos with nonprofit staff and first responders.
Why it matters: local victims’ advocates said coordinated prevention, education and law enforcement are needed to identify victims quickly and link them to services. The vote creates an official county recognition intended to raise public awareness.
What’s next: Commissioners and nonprofits encouraged residents to report suspicious situations to law enforcement and use available victim services and prevention resources.
