SARASOTA, Fla. -- As the Tampa Bay area continues to practice social distancing and the new safer-at-home orders being enforced, local nonprofits are concerned about what that could mean for the people they help.
Selah Freedom, a nonprofit based in Sarasota, can no longer meet in person with all of the the human trafficking victims it serves. So, I-Team Investigator Kylie McGivernfound the group is moving its educational training online during the pandemic.
70% of sex trafficking in minors starts online. And one out of every nine children are approached by a predator online.
The virtual training for adults will be offered April 9 at 5:30 p.m., and the training for middle and high school students will be available April 16 at 5:30 p.m. for those whose parents signed them up at the April 9 training.
There is also a free virtual "Sex, Lies & Media Training" on Thursday, June 18 at 5:30 p.m. for adults.
Here’s the link to register for the free classes: https://www.selahfreedom.com/events
Two new courses were announced for June 25 and July 9. The two new online courses are for parents, kids and teens.
Here's the link for "How to Talk About Body Safety with Children" training: https://support.selahfreedom.com/event/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-body-safety-6-25-20/e289478
Here's the link for "Let's Take a P.A.U.S.E for S.A.F.E.T.Y." training: https://support.selahfreedom.com/event/lets-take-a-pause-for-safety/e289582
If you believe you are a victim of Human Trafficking or suspect an adult is a victim of human trafficking, please visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline, or call them at 1-888-3737-888. If you suspect a child is a victim, please call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.
If you have something you'd like the I-Team to investigate, you can call 1-866-428-NEWS or email kylie.mcgivern@wfts.com.
