GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing crimes globally, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Local leaders came together to discuss how it’s closer than you may think.

On Thursday, April 10, Village Improvement Association invited community members to an event to learn more about the exploitative crime. 

Speakers included representatives with the Jacksonville-based organization Villages of Hope, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook, Clay County Clerk of Court Tara Green and Quigley House Director of Development Jackie Krug.

Some officers with the Green Cove Springs Police Department were also in attendance.

Human trafficking comes in many different forms, but the most common is sexual exploitation, or sex trafficking. 

Florida ranks No. 3 in the U.S. for reported cases. 

Green said that, often, the courthouse is the first place where "spotting the signs" of abuse will most likely occur. She said ensuring her staff know what to look for is important. 

The Villages of Hope nonprofit spoke on aiming to fill the gaps that are presented when helping victims of sex trafficking. 

According to the organization, Jacksonville is the third largest city in Florida for reported cases of sex trafficking; however, there are only 12 designated local safe beds for survivors.

Villages of Hope provides an immediate need for long-term housing by supplying the survivors with property to live in. 

Krug said the Quigley House shelter is always full and has seen a significant increase in sexual assault cases in the county since January of this year. 

Villages of Hope's presentation noted that the average age of a trafficking victim is between 12 and 14 years old. Ages of emotional vulnerability – especially for runaways.

Within 48 hours of leaving home, the organization said a trafficker will have already approached the victim. It’s also important to note that a trafficker will often place a spotter within schools, befriending potential victims.

Cook said that cases with younger victims are especially prevalent in the county. In fact, she said the sheriff’s office has seen more cases of sexual grooming with elementary and middle-school children. 

She said that one of their greatest local challenges is the inability to service those under 18. 

“They’re starting as young as 8, 9, 10, 11, even younger,” Cook said. 

She said the young girls have older boyfriends that begin feeding them drugs and taking advantage of them.

“It starts very young, and it is very scary,” she said.

Cook said that the office is a founding member of the Northeast Florida Intercept Task Force, where several law enforcement agencies – federal, state and local – work together within the same office to combat human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. 

“Which is huge in our world, because a lot of the across-the-table conversations help us put pieces together,” she said. 

For two years, Cook said that the task force has put a blanket across Northeast Florida suspects, with the added help of their robust Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit.

But finding even more resources is essential. 

How do victims get help? Cook said calling 911 and asking for help, being arrested or interacting with a deputy are some common forms. 

Next, getting connected with local recovery organizations like Villages of Hope and Quigley House. She said community partnership is key. 

What can parents do at home? She said to always monitor what your child is doing or paying attention to online. 

“The device in the hand is exceptionally powerful. And, if you’re going to put a device in a child’s hand, you [have] to have powerful conversations with them," Cook said.