An Action News Jax investigation found 26 children in Duval County were identified as victims of commercial sexual exploitation in 2016.
Now a new audit says more needs to be done by the state Department of Children and Families and other agencies to help these victims.
Thursday Action News Jax spoke with a survivor who is now an advocate on the issue and she says she agrees with the recommendations of this new audit which says the DCF needs to do more to address issues related to helping victims.
Alyssa Beck says “at the age of 15 I became a victim of human trafficking.”
It's a story that Beck says is not unique.
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According to a new audit. In 2016 there were 356 commercial sexual exploitation child victims in Florida -- 26 in Duval County.
Beck says “I think a lot of times people don’t believe it happens here because they have their mind set on it only looks a certain way.”
Tayloe McDonald, Director of Strategic Planning & Public Affairs Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, says, “It is a very serious problem and it is here.”
Action News Jax spoke with McDonald about the new audit on Thursday which says the DCFs and its lead agencies have not resolved issues related to serving exploited children, including better screening for potential victims and a “pressing need” for more services like safe places for victims to stay.
According to the report for the 356 victims in 2016 there were only 28 safe house beds statewide.
McDonald says "really highlights the intense need, the intense need we have for an infusion of funding to provide both the short-term and long-term services.
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And as for Beck, her journey had ups and downs, even time in jail. But now she’s a survivor and using her success to help others.
Beck says she wants "to walk along with them in their journey because that victim is going to need help and need someone to look at them in their eyes and say 'hey I understand what you went through, there is hope'."
Click
for the full audit and DCF response.
Cox Media Group
