MIAMI—Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro announced the nomination of the Broward Human Trafficking Coalition (BHTC) as the Division’s selection for the 2020 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) during a ceremony earlier today at FBI Miami’s headquarters in Miramar, Florida.

Accepting the nomination was BHTC Chairperson Jumorrow Johnson, from the Broward County State Attorney’s Office.

The DCLA annually honors organizations and individuals who are doing the hard work of improving their communities.

“We honor the dedication and commitment of the Broward Human Trafficking Coalition as they perform vital and essential work addressing the heinous crime of human trafficking,” said George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. “The BHTC is addressing urgent needs within our community. South Florida is truly fortunate to have an organization which is tackling the problem of human trafficking at all levels from the victim to the perpetrator, to resources, and legislative issues.”

BHTC is a coalition of community partners and individuals whose mission is to raise awareness about human trafficking. The purpose of the BHTC is to impact the response to victims of human trafficking through outreach and advocacy activities, to coordinate informational, educational, and training seminars, and to identify available resources.

The BHTC performs these functions through three action committees:

• S.T.A.R.S. (Stop Trafficking and Rescue Survivors) – This committee is solely focused on identifying gaps in service provisions needed to support juvenile victims.
• S.T.R.I.P.E.S. (Stop Trafficking and Rescue Individual Persons Exploited through Slavery) – This committee primarily focuses on supporting adult victims of human trafficking and works to support 18–24-year-old individuals migrating from foster care.
• A.I.M. (Arrest Perpetrators, Investigate Criminal Enterprises, Manage Human Trafficking Cases) – Law enforcement only group comprised of local, state, and federal entities that work human trafficking cases.

The FBI urges anyone who may be a human trafficking victim or have information about a potential human trafficking situation to call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. If you believe a child is involved in a trafficking situation, submit a tip through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.