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Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to control victims for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against his/her will.

Sex trafficking has been found in a wide variety of venues within the sex industry, including residential brothels,  escort services, fake massage businesses, strip clubs, and street prostitution.

Labor trafficking has been found in diverse labor settings including, domestic work, small businesses, large farms, and factories.We only thought slavery ended with the Emancipation Proclamation. It’s alive and well today with more slaves than at any point in history. In fact, there are twice as many slaves today as during the entire trans-Atlantic slave trade. The two most common forms of human trafficking are sexual slavery and forced labor.

It is the fastest-growing crime in the world, with the perpetrators making $32 billion a year buying and selling people for their profit and pleasure. The profits are huge and the risk of being prosecuted are slim- the United Nations says 99% of victims are never rescued.

WHAT ARE THE RED FLAGS?

- Scripted answers
- Inconsistencies in story
- Branding or tattoos, especially that reflect ownership or money
- Bruising, with varied stages of healing with black, purple, blue, yellow shades
- Cigarette burns, rope burns, scars, cuts or other physical abuse
- Coming on to several men
- Appears helpless, shamed, nervous
- Malnourished
- Inability or fear to make eye contact
- Chronic runaway; homeless youth
- Dating much older, abusive or controlling man
- Not attending school or has numerous school absences
- Sudden change in attire, possessions, behavior
- Travels to other cities frequently
- Uses terms common to the commercial sex industry 

On its own, one of these signs might not indicate trafficking, but 2-3 together are a good indication. The average life expectancy for a child forced into sexual slavery is 7 years. Don’t wait. Call 911 and the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 1.888.373.7888, if you suspect something. It’s better to be wrong than not to report it. A life might just depend on it. Please also call Traffick911 and we can get them the help they need for healing, court, etc.

“This information has a short shelf-life. Trust your instincts. As we get older, we stop listening to our little Jiminy Cricket.”    - Phoenix Vice Sgt. Chris Bray


To learn more, visit our RESOURCES page.

 

2014 Broward County Hurricane Evacuation Information
Broward County Transit (BCT) provides Hurricane Evacuation Asssistance in the event of a hurricane evacuation to residents who are unable to make other arrangements for transportation to designated shelters.  Call the Hurricane Hotline at 954-831-4000 for BCT evacuation pick-up point locations. 

Cleaning For A Reason -

If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. 

Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. 

It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along.

Cleaning For A Reason

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Healthy Living Messages: Be Tobacco Free 

Be tobacco free! Don't use tobacco in any form. If you are using tobacco, the VA can help you quit. Avoid second hand smoke. If you are pregnant, both you and your baby will benefit when you quit using tobacco.

• Quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health and protect the health of your family members. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. Using tobacco causes many diseases and affects your overall health. Quitting smoking or other forms of tobacco has benefits in the short‐ and long‐term for you and your loved ones. 

• All forms of tobacco are harmful. This includes cigars, pipes, snuff, sinus, chewing tobacco and electronic or smokeless cigarettes.

• Tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke kill approximately 443,000 people in the United States each year. It is the largest cause of preventable illness and death in the United States.

Tobacco use is the cause of:

• Cancers
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Complications of pregnancy
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Second hand smoke is associated with:
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Acute lung infections, ear problems
• More frequent and severe asthma attacks in children
• Even when people aren't smokers, exposure to secondhand smoke can cause them to develop heart disease and lung cancer.
• Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work are 20%—30% more likely to develop heart disease or lung cancer.
• Breathing secondhand smoke has immediate harmful effects on your health and increases the risk of heart attack. People who already have heart disease are at especially high risk.

There is no level of secondhand smoke that is risk‐free. Even brief exposure can be dangerous.  Talk to your health care provider about help with quitting smoking, including getting medication to improve your chances of quitting and a referral to a VA smoking cessation clinic.

Good things happen as soon as you quit. You will:

• Have more energy and breathe easier.
• Save money that you can spend on other things.
• Find that your clothes, car, and home smell better.
• Have fewer wrinkles, and no stains on your skin and nails.
• Discover that food smells and tastes better.
• Feel good about quitting.
• Protect your family members and friends from secondhand smoke.
• If you are pregnant and quit smoking, your baby will:
• Be healthier.
• Get more oxygen.
• Be less likely to be born too soon.
• Be more likely to come home from the hospital on the same day that you come home.
• Have fewer colds and ear infections.
• Cough and cry less.
• Have fewer asthma and wheezing problems.

For more information, please visit: http://www.prevention.va.gov/Be_Tobacco_Free.asp