by Paul Allen

reprinted with permission

Human trafficking is something that effects every industry and person in our our country. And when it comes to sex trafficking, the legitimate adult entertainment business is not much different from other businesses including, but not limited to, the hotel/motel industry, massage parlors, the internet etc.—with the exception of the percentage of sex trafficking, which is much lower in strip clubs than in than other industries, according to researchers and law enforcement.

On Wednesday January 4, Club Operators Against Sex Trafficking held anti-human trafficking outreach at the Godfrey Hotel to educate and inform adult club owners, managers, DJ’s, and entertainers about human trafficking. January is  “National Human Trafficking Prevention Month,”

Angelina Spencer, COAST Co-Founder and Supervisory Agent in Charge, Jennifer Silliman offered outreach full of beneficial information, including recapping a few sex trafficking cases in Central Florida.

There are two basic types of human trafficking, Silliman explained … sex trafficking and forced labor. Florida is third in the nation when it comes to human trafficking (trailing California & Texas). The interesting fact is only a small percentage of human trafficking comes from adult clubs. “We typically don’t see clubs or club owners trafficking,” Silliman told a crowd of over 100 industry professionals. “We do see people outside the industry occasionally trying to use clubs for trafficking but not as often as in other industries.”

According to Silliman, there are a few warning signs of trafficking that people should be aware of: Did the person have his/her own ID when applying for work? … Did they answer all questions you asked without being prompt or told what to say or write? … Are they dropped off and picked up everyday by the same person? … Have you ever seen him/her hand over their money to the person who picks them up? … Do they talk to other entertainers? … Have they ever been seen with cuts, burns, or bruises?

Human trafficking is a heinous crime people working in the adult entertainment industry can help prevent.

“Legal Tampa Bay area clubs are 100% against any type human trafficking,” said Don Kleinhans, owner 2001 Odyssey. “We only want people working in our clubs who want to be there and who make a free choice to do so.”

Over 50,000 calls, tips, texts, or online messages were received by the National Human Trafficking Hotline last year.

If you feel you (or somebody you know) is being trafficked, please:

            • Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline at: 1-888-373-7888 (Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates are available 24/7 to take reports of suspected incidents and you can remain anonymous)

            • Text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 233733. 

            • Chat with the National Human Trafficking Hotline  www.humantraffickinghotline.org/chat.

 Please note that if a situation is urgent, Silliman stresses the importance of calling 911 first.

NightMoves would like to thank Jennifer, Angelina and industry professionals who attended this valuable outreach. The crowd was large and included representatives from the majority of clubs in our area.

A special “thank you” goes out to Don & Jim Kleinhans for this valuable outreach.

If you’re interested in hosting COAST outreach in your area, please contact Ms. Angelina Spencer-Crisp: 202-800-9109 or email: info@acenational.org