Florida gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner (R) committed to ending child sex trafficking as part of his Florida First Public Safety Policy during a press conference in Tampa this week.
“For too long, we’ve had many different agencies and councils sharing responsibility for human trafficking. They’ve done good work— but when responsibility is scattered, victims can fall through the cracks,” Renner said in a release. “Human trafficking is one of the world’s most pervasive crimes. As Governor, and the top law enforcement executive in the state, every trafficking criminal and cartel needs to take note, that in Florida, we will not stop until you are on death row or behind bars.”
According to the release, the Florida First Public Safety Proposal on Ending Child Sex Trafficking aims to combat human trafficking and stop the sexual exploitation of children and women across Florida.
The objective also calls for a Florida Office of Human Trafficking Enforcement task force, which would work directly with the Governor’s Office to help end the problem in the state.
Florida ranks 3rd in human trafficking with 738 cases, according to a report.
More specifically, Renner's Florida First Public Safety Proposal on Ending Child Sex Trafficking includes tougher state laws on the issue, which include:
- Broaden the capital sex trafficking definition to include any minor under Florida Statute 787.06(5)(a). The current statute is 12 and under. It also includes the death penalty for sex trafficking of children.
- Add the "use” or “promotion” of “sexual performances” under Florida Statute 827.071(2) and (3) with the human trafficking statute 787.06, including tougher penalties.
In addition, Renner's 7-point plan aims to create an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force to address accumulating cyber tips involving child exploitation. It also looks to address victims of trafficking by increasing funding for emergency shelters and trauma care, as well as partnering with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remove illegal aliens involved in human trafficking and other related crimes.
"The exploitation and trafficking of children is a blight on our state and our country that must be eradicated," Executive Director of America’s Future, Mary Flynn O’Neill, said. "Paul Renner has a clear plan to eradicate this criminal activity, the courage to enforce the law, and the resolve to see it through.”
