| REPORT: |
Commissioner Heyman noted that she was apprised about an increase of human trafficking; this profound problem had made Miami a venue for not only human trafficking but for prostitution, sex trafficking and kidnapping as well. She pointed out that the Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade County had organized a Dear John campaign and sponsored billboards with a message to raise awareness regarding this problem. Commissioner Heyman noted this was a county wide campaign and the Dear John campaign was a nationwide one, and this had to be a community engaged activity to promote intolerance of the human trafficking/kidnapping problem.
Ms. Debi Harris, CEO, Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade County, expressed appreciation on behalf of the Women’s Fund Board Chairwoman Marj Adler who could not attend today and Commissioner Heyman for sponsoring this presentation and for her leadership as an advocate for citizens and the women and girls the Women’s Fund serves daily. Ms. Harris gave a brief history of the Women’s Fund and the impacts it made on the citizen’s of Miami-Dade County, noting that the Women’s Fund had created partnerships and relationships that had engaged, educated and advocated to thousands within the community. Ms. Harris said in 2011 she made a decision to dedicate resources to unveil the heinous crime of the sexual exploitation of girls in Miami. She explained that the average age of girls entering prostitution was between 12 and 14 years old.
Through a partnership with Kristi House and the Children’s Trust amongst others the Dear John campaign was initiated; Ms. Harris showed a video of the public service announcements produced by the Children’s Trust that had aired on television over the past year.
Ms. Emily Cardenas, Senior. Communications Officer, Children’s Trust and Ms. Mary Geraldo, Community Relations Officer, Kristi House, appeared before the Board, and both spoke in regards of the Dear John Campaign. Ms. Cardenas announced that the Dear John campaign had been selected to receive the prestigious Telly Award this year which honored the best film and video productions in local regional and cable television commercials and programs. She expressed appreciation to the M network staff and Tom Oslow for the production of a quality campaign. Ms. Cardenas noted that along with the television spot just viewed by the Board, a companion television spot was produced which included Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Frederica Wilson; a Spanish version and a radio spot was also produced.
Ms. Geraldo expressed appreciation to Commissioner Diaz and the Board of County Commissioners for being an advocate for Kristi House’s efforts. Ms. Geraldo pointed out legislation was adopted that would give traffickers harsher penalties. |
