Human Trafficking Council meets in capitol

15-member council has first meeting

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Council on Human Trafficking created by the 2014 Legislature held its first meeting Monday in Tallahassee.

Attorney General Pam Bondi worked with Florida's legislative leaders to create the statewide council on Human Trafficking.

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The 15-member council is chaired by the Attorney General and is working to build on existing state and local partnerships working to combat human trafficking.

Florida has some of the strongest human trafficking laws, but after Monday's meeting, Bondi said even tougher laws are needed.

"You can't just put these victims in a safe house," Bondi said. "They need drug counseling. They need medical treatment. They truly need psychological counseling. You heard that from US Attorney Marsh. And they also need to become strong survivors, where they can testify at trial and not be afraid of these absolute monsters."

Another meeting is scheduled for December as the council will come together over the next two years. Bondi expects to propose new legislation to cover the gaps being discovered in existing law for next year's legislative session.

The members of the Florida Council on Human Trafficking include law enforcement officers, prosecutors, legislators and experts in the fields of human, health education and social services.