Human trafficking survivors raise concerns about Central Florida safehouse, lack of state regulation – WFTV

Channel 9 investigative reporter Karla Ray took these claims to Executive Director Jill Bolander Cohen. Lifeboat Project leaders say they take these claims very severely, they usually’re horrified to listen to that survivors are coming ahead with concerns. However, in Florida, the nonprofit and others prefer it don’t really want to offer any programming in any respect, as a result of there aren’t any requirements or regulation for grownup human trafficking safehouses.

Channel 9 was there in 2020 when the Lifeboat Project opened a 12-unit quadplex particularly for human trafficking survivors; however now, some of the ladies who’ve lived there declare it’s not the haven they had been promised.

“They just put you in a house and say, ‘Hey, I take care of her,’” one survivor stated. “But they really don’t.”

All three wished to stay nameless.

Read: Human trafficking nonetheless a ‘huge problem’ in Central Florida, skilled says

“You should be grateful, because you have a roof over your head, with no rent, and food expenses paid for,” one other survivor says of the sentiment towards her within the quadplex. “All those types of things were provided for me when I was in the streets, as well.”

All three have not too long ago moved out, after they are saying they felt re-exploited.

“I didn’t care where I went,” a 3rd survivor stated. “I didn’t care if I was putting myself in a situation where I would be vulnerable again, to be labor trafficked, or worse. I didn’t care. I couldn’t take it anymore.”

Read: Human trafficking: 9 warning indicators to look out for

The three ladies all declare they felt strain to share their tales of their life underneath management of a trafficker in an effort to profit Lifeboat’s backside line.

“They were like, ‘Oh, well, you know, we’re struggling nonprofit, we need the money,’’” one stated, who had been labor trafficked since she was a toddler. “I’m afraid of my trafficker. You’re not offering me any security. You just want me to go tell my story.”

They declare counseling paid for by Lifeboat was inconsistent, together with transportation to medical remedy and remedy periods.

Read: Florida amongst high three states for human trafficking response

“Once I made that statement that I was not going to share my story, everything changed,” a intercourse trafficking survivor stated.

We took these claims to the nonprofit’s government director.

“I mean, this is a nightmare for me,” Jill Bolander Cohen stated. “It really is, because I care for these people. I’ve dedicated my life to this.”

Read: Ocala couple arrested on a number of human trafficking expenses, Marion County deputies say

Jill Bolander Cohen denied pressuring any survivor to share their story in an effort to assist fundraise, and stated remedy is obtainable to everybody in this system, however nobody will be pressured to go.

“So why would a survivor claim that was not being provided to her?” Karla Ray requested.

“I really don’t know. I really don’t know,” Bolander Cohen stated. “I mean, I’ve seen where sometimes they get upset and, you know, and they say, ‘I’m going to run to the media.’ Well, you can’t hold me hostage. We’re doing the best that we can.”

Read: 160 arrested in 7-day human trafficking investigation, Polk County sheriff says

The group’s most up-to-date tax data present $244,000 was used to “provide awareness through seminars and speaking engagements,” together with “direct counseling and legal services and housing to victims.” But, Bolander Cohen stated there’s not a set construction to Lifeboat’s programming, and underneath Florida legislation, none is required.

“Nobody polices any of the [safehouses] dealing with adults,” Bolander Cohen stated.

Florida has no regulation or certification requirements for grownup human trafficking safehouses. Anyone can open one, and solicit public grants or donations. The Lifeboat Project has obtained grant cash from Orange County, Seminole County, and town of Orlando.

Read: State senator to introduce invoice to assist struggle human trafficking

Bolander Cohen stated she’d welcome the extra scrutiny and steerage.

“I think it’s long overdue, because there are people that I definitely know are revictimized,” Bolander Cohen stated.

The survivors agree requirements are wanted, noting it will take out any guesswork about what they and the general public ought to count on, and forestall anybody from feeling revictimized.

Read: Police: Daytona man charged with human trafficking and drug possession

“There’s no accountability,” one survivor stated. “Where does the accountability come from, to show that they’re actually doing what they say they’re doing, when they get the funds that they get?”

After we began asking questions about this problem, Attorney General Ashley Moody instructed us by means of a spokesperson that she plans to work on this problem with state lawmakers throughout this legislative session. “As a state, it is important that we provide human trafficking survivors the quality services they need to recover in a safe environment,” she stated in a press release.

So far, no laws has been filed.

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