ORLANDO, Fla.-- Florida leaders met Monday to combat what they call a horrifying plight on society.
The group gathered in Orlando for the state’s Human Trafficking Summit.
The event brings together law enforcement, victims and advocates each year. They work to not only find ways to fight human trafficking but help those impacted by it.
It's the first time Florida Attorney General Ashely Moody has held the summit, after taking office in January.
Moody said she hopes the event will be a chance to bring everyone up to speed. “Every year it gets better and better. As we’re learning more about effective ways to combat human trafficking— not only identifying symptoms and identifying victims but also how to go after and break up large scale organizations.”
The National Human Trafficking Hotline lists Florida third in the nation for reported cases, behind California and Texas.
Florida Public Health estimates human trafficking in the US to be between 14,500 and 17,500 people annually.
