Attorneys and Judges Gather to Learn about Human Trafficking
On November 13, 2012, over 80 lawyers, judges and community leaders joined to to find out what they can do to help combat commercial sex trafficking of minors here in our Miami-Dade communities. We appreciate the willingness to “put something back” and help these unfortunate young victims! A very special thanks to Holland & Knight for sponsoring the delicious luncheon and also to our distinguished panel of speakers. The Honorable Carroll Kelly and the Honorable Maria Sampedro-Iglesias gave their perspectives from the domestic violence and juvenile courts, respectively. Maria Clara Rodriguez from Kristi House educated the audience about human trafficking indicators and the methods used by pimps to recruit, control and manipulate trafficking victims, while Trudi Novicki, Executive Director of Kristi House, and the co-author of the Safe Harbor legislation introduced the audience to the provisions of the new legislation. Brenda Mezick from the State Attorney’s office spoke about the team approach taken by the SAO and various police departments to the human trafficking crisis.