They’re unspeakable crimes that are suddenly breaching nearly every community in the country — including St. Johns County.
Sheriff Robert Hardwick will attend a Human Trafficking Awareness event Sunday, Jan. 11, at the link in Nocatee, joining survivor advocates and experts for an evening focused on education.
The free gathering will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month and #WearBlueDay, and you can get tickets here.
Organizers say the program is intended to inform the public about the spiraling scourge and highlight the importance of community vigilance in combating it.
The forum will include participation from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, along with representatives from Arize Together, Rethreaded, Her Song — a ministry of the Tim Tebow Foundation — and Hadassah’s Hope.
The organizations provide services related to prevention education, survivor advocacy, recovery support and community-based outreach.
Organizers emphasized that human trafficking affects communities at the local level and often goes unnoticed. By bringing together law enforcement, nonprofit organizations and the public in one setting, the event aims to increase understanding of the issue and encourage community action.
Attendees are encouraged to wear blue in solidarity with survivors.
The event is open to the public. Registration and full program details are available through the Eventbrite listing.
“By bringing leaders from across this space together in one room, we hope to create a meaningful, informed dialogue that empowers our community to recognize, understand and respond,” organizers said.
The link, an innovation and community gathering space in Nocatee, is hosting the event as part of its mission to foster dialogue and community connection around issues impacting Northeast Florida.
