Founding Valor Canines
People & Paws United Against Human Trafficking
Valor Canines: Who We Are
If you have ever had a relationship with a pet, you know it’s something special. There’s something indefinable in how they can read your mood, offer support, protect, and show up in ways that people sometimes just, well, can’t.
After years of forging unique bonds with canines, serving as skilled decoys in the training and testing process of protection, law enforcement, military, and sport dogs, while also taking action against human trafficking, Valor Canines was founded as a way to bring protection and canine community to the restoration of human trafficking survivors.
We are a group of individuals with diverse backgrounds committed to human trafficking education and awareness, prevention, and survivor support. Our life-affirming care has never been more critical, with nearly 50 million people currently captured.
Understanding Human Trafficking: Awareness and Action in Florida
January 2024: Human Trafficking Awareness Month
In January, we observe Human Trafficking Awareness Month, a crucial time for educating the public and mobilizing action against one of the most heinous crimes. Florida, with its unique geographical and social landscape, remains a significant battleground in the fight against human trafficking.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking, often described as modern-day slavery, involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. It is a multi-dimensional issue, impacting victims regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic background.
Human Trafficking in Florida: A Closer Look
Florida's position as a tourism and international trade hub makes it particularly vulnerable to human trafficking. The state's extensive coastline, numerous ports, and large agricultural sector present opportunities for traffickers to exploit victims.
Key Factors in Florida:
Tourism: Large events and high tourist influx can increase the demand for commercial sex, potentially fueling sex trafficking.
Agriculture: The vast agricultural sector requires a significant workforce, sometimes leading to exploitative labor practices.
International Borders: Proximity to international waters and a diverse population can complicate the detection and prevention of trafficking.
Recognizing the Signs
Recognizing the signs of human trafficking can be challenging, as it often happens in plain sight. Some indicators include:
Physical and Emotional Signs: Unexplained injuries, fearful or submissive behavior.
Work Conditions: Poor living conditions, few or no personal possessions, not free to leave or come and go as they wish.
Control: Signs of being controlled, inability to speak for themselves.
Why We Fight
Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Florida is more than a period of reflection; it's a call to action. By understanding what human trafficking really is, recognizing the signs, and knowing how to help, we can collectively make strides towards eradicating this crime. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected and work toward a future free of human trafficking.
We launched Valor Canines with the deep understanding that no human being should be subject to the horrors of human trafficking and that it takes all of us to support survivors. Will you join us?