GREEN COVE SPRINGS - In 2024 alone, approximately 24,000 individuals in the United States fell victim to human trafficking.

And worldwide, nearly 50 million people are trapped as you're reading this sentence.

It's an ordeal that knows no age, gender or race. And one that members of the Village Improvement Association learned how to combat at their Day of Service event on Friday, Sept. 26.

A crowd of more than 40 people eager to learn more about one of the most invisible crimes in the world met at the Clay County Courthouse to hear from local officials and those who have lived through it firsthand.

The day is hosted every September by the General Federation of Women's Clubs, of which the VIA is a part. Clubs engage in hands-on community service projects to support a chosen focus area. For 2025, the theme centers around ending domestic and sexual violence.

"The mission of this program is to speak out publicly against domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking. United we can challenge attitudes towards these violent acts...and show that these acts are not merely unacceptable. Still, they're violent crimes," said Janey Fox, who is chair of the VIA and District 4 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Committee. 

From 8:30 a.m. to around noon, the group spent time discussing just how close the crime is to home. Guest speakers included Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook, Detective Ryan Ellis and Green Cove Springs Chief of Police Shawn Hines.

Cook said she was proud to see so many show up to hear more about what's happening and how they can help.

Following an introduction by Clerk of Court Tara Green, the day began with an hour-long training video on the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking, endorsed by the Florida Attorney General.

The crash-course included information on the types of trafficking, tell-tale signs to look out for and heart-wrenching accounts from victims.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, human trafficking, or exploitation, is defined as "a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts."

There are various types of trafficking, including: sex, forced labor, involuntary servitude and forced marriage. There are four stages that victims almost always experience: recruiting, grooming, trafficking and immersion into the lifestyle.

And as an approximately $150 billion industry, according to Hope for Justice, it's a common and highly profitable crime in the United States.

Although the crime affects people of all ages, statistics suggest that the average age of a victim is 15 years old. 

Both Ellis and Hines spoke on what's happening in the local area.

"While it might not be to the magnitude of larger cities, it does happen here," Ellis said. "We've rescued survivors. We've taken people and gotten them out of their situations. And got them where they should be, offered them services right here in this very county."

Ellis, who was recently selected with fellow CCSO Det. Eva Solis, as the Florida Sheriff's Association's Detective of the Year, said that North Florida is a hotspot for trafficking, due to its proximity to a port, river and major interstates.

"We have events that also attract buyers. And then also bring in people that are unfortunately exploited," he said. 

He said CCSO has seen cases with both children and adults.

"This crime that we're fighting requires more than just law enforcement. It requires working with groups like Quigley. It requires working with other nonprofits, other advocacy groups, churches, the State Attorney's Office and the judicial system," Ellis said.

During the video training, attendees were educated on some notable signs to pick up on when dealing with someone who is possibly being trafficked. Some red flags to look out for in children and adults include:

• Adverse reactions to someone being mentioned
• Receiving expensive gifts
• Disinterest in spending time with certain people
• Signs of physical abuse/drug use
• Exhaustion
• Lack of motivation
• Any mention of a pimp
• Large amounts of cash
• Truancy

The video also mentioned that some common locations where the crime can take place are nightclubs, motels and even sober homes/treatment centers.

Attendees got more insight into the legal implications of these cases by visiting with Chief Administrative Judge Steven Whittington. Whittington also brought representatives from the State Attorney's Office and Special Victims Unit to help answer questions about how those involved are brought to justice.

To end the day, the group then ventured to the VIA Clubhouse for lunch, where they presented Quigley House with a generous donation of Visa gift cards for its residents. Quigley House is Clay's only dual-certified domestic and sexual assault center.

"It really does take a village and a community. This is step one in raising awareness, promoting prevention, and staying informed. Everybody knows someone," said Quigley House Development Director Jackie Krug.

On November 6, the VIA will also host Parent Night, a follow-up to the event. They invite members of the community to come out to 17 N. Palmetto Ave., and learn more about effective ways to protect children while on the internet.