The Florida Department of Transportation is teaming up with the Attorney General’s office to post anti-human trafficking displays at 39 rest areas across the state.
The scrolling signs will appear on T-V monitors near bathrooms at the rest stops, telling viewers who to contact if they suspect they've seen someone forced into sex or slave labor. The ads are also going up at bus stations and malls and on billboards.
Attorney General’s Office spokesman Whitney Ray says human trafficking is a major issue in Florida.
"We do know that, according to the Human Trafficking Resource Center, Florida ranks third in the number of calls to the hotline", Ray said. "Human trafficking affects children, adults, men and women. It affects people throughout the world, particularly in the US and here in Florida."
Human traffickers prey on the vulnerable, and their victims are generally children, battered women, non-English-speakers and runaway teens. The rest-stop sign campaign cost about $400,000 dollars to implement, and the money comes from past consumer protection settlements.
To report suspected trafficking, visit MyFloridaLegal.com or call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888.