LAKELAND, Fla. – Polk County’s newest hunt for predators led to arrests and introduced victims into supportive fingers.
What we all know:
Polk County’s “Operation Idiot Round and Discover Out Once more” on the Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace ended with 246 suspects arrested and victims rescued.
“We’ve talked to over 70 individuals who have been affiliated with this operation, and we actually noticed a historic quantity. Thirty-six have already signed on to providers to attempt to get out of the life and cycle of sexual exploitation,” mentioned Jodi Domangue, the chief working officer of One Extra Youngster in Lakeland.
One Extra Youngster mentioned that it’s a report quantity for folks instantly signing up for providers. The non-profit’s anti-trafficking program focuses on adults and kids, and Domangue mentioned their providers made these newest victims really feel consolation.
“We truly had survivors who felt comfy sufficient after speaking with our workers and the unimaginable detectives on the Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace that they began to disclose info and really feel safe sufficient that they have been capable of go and apprehend their traffickers that very evening,” mentioned Domangue.
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The victims have been as younger as 17 to over 50 years previous, and One Extra Youngster mentioned advocates are seeing alarming traits, together with a rise in kids being trafficked.
“We’ve got completely different purposes now for various web sites, like OnlyFans, the place a toddler will be trafficked and never even be bodily in the identical room as another person,” mentioned Domangue.
One Extra Youngster mentioned they’re additionally seeing traits of ladies being trafficked by their husbands and boyfriends. On this newest operation, advocates mentioned they’re even discovering extra potential victims.
“On this operation, we had 10 people who had recognized as potential victims of human trafficking. Now, we all know there’s most likely greater than that,” mentioned Domangue. “Ten is a really excessive quantity for us on this operation that would already be recognized as a possible sufferer.”
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As for the suspects, extra are keen to journey for intercourse with minors.
“We’re seeing extra vacationers. I imply 15 arrested on this operation is a really giant quantity,” Domangue mentioned.
What’s subsequent:
One Extra Youngster mentioned its purpose is to attach victims with a greater future and break the cycle of sexual exploitation.
“You noticed 15 people who have been keen to perpetrate on kids. On the opposite facet of that, you probably did see grownup victims who have been capable of obtain providers on this operation. These grownup victims have been baby victims as nicely, I assure it,” mentioned Domangue.
One Extra Youngster mentioned advocates join victims with housing and jobs. They mentioned they’ll observe up with the victims on this investigation within the days to return to share sources, and a few even attain out for assist weeks or months later.
The Supply: The knowledge on this story comes from One Extra Youngster and was gathered by FOX 13’s Briona Arradondo.
