Campaign Against Human Trafficking

09/01/2026

From Survivor to Success 💙

While we continue to confront the reality of human trafficking, our 2026-2027 theme will focus on something equally important: hope, healing, recovery, and success. We want to shine a light on what is possible when survivors receive the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Join us on September 15 as we launch this exciting new year with an inspiring program featuring a survivor sharing her powerful story, Brent Woody of Justice Restoration Center (a nationally recognized attorney and pro bono advocate for survivors), and Lurlene Johnson, Executive Director of Created Women. We'll also highlight CAHT's Next Steps Program, which provides financial assistance to survivors as they begin their new lives.

For the first time, we're asking everyone to RSVP in advance. We want to reach as many people as possible, prepare appropriately, and demonstrate a strong community commitment to survivors. Every person in the room strengthens our message of hope and support.

📍 The Caper Room at the SCC Atrium, 954 North Course Lane, Sun City Center, FL 33573
🕕 6:00-8:00 pm
✅ RSVP by September 10 to [email protected]

Fill a seat. Change a life. Bring a friend. Help us fill the room with hope.

08/26/2026

🎃 Something spooky is brewing at CAHT! 👻

Campaign Against Human Trafficking – South Shore volunteers are hard at work planning our Spooky Halloween Bingo Fundraiser, and we'd love for you to join us!

📅 October 4
📍 SCC Community Hall

Come out for a fun time while supporting an important cause. The event will include raffles, a 50/50 drawing, a $100 coverall, and plenty of Halloween fun!

Every event like this helps CAHT continue its mission of supporting victims, celebrating survivors, raising awareness, and reducing the demand for human trafficking.

Have fun. Support the mission. Help make a difference. 💙 Please join us in the fight against human trafficking!

08/25/2026

💙 Community support makes a difference.

The Campaign Against Human Trafficking (CAHT) is grateful to the Apollo Beach Women's Club for their generous donation in support of our mission.

Their contribution will help CAHT continue its work supporting victims, celebrating survivors, and reducing the demand for human trafficking. Partnerships and generosity like this help strengthen our efforts and remind us what can happen when our community comes together for a shared purpose.

Thank you to the Apollo Beach Women's Club for standing with CAHT and supporting this important work! 💙

08/22/2026

Today's Human Trafficking Awareness Training brought together an incredible group of community and business members ready to learn, ask hard questions, and turn awareness into action. We hosted the session at the Greater SouthShore Chamber of Commerce office, and the turnout said everything about how much this community cares.

Barry Tollenger walked attendees through the realities of trafficking today, from the growing risks kids face online and through AI, to who's most at risk, to concrete steps every one of us can take to protect the people we love. It was eye-opening in the best way.

This is the work CAHT exists to do: putting real information in the hands of real people so we can spot the warning signs and act before it's too late.

Missed today's training? You can still get involved. Head to www.cahtfl.org to learn more, find upcoming sessions, and stay connected with our work.

Get Educated. Get Enraged. Get Engaged. 💙

What an inspiring morning!

Today’s Human Trafficking Awareness Training with the Campaign Against Human Trafficking - SouthShore was a powerful success. The classroom was full of caring people who came ready to learn, ask questions, and take action to protect our families and communities.

A big thank-you to Barry Tollenger for leading such an informative and eye-opening session on current trafficking issues—including the risks our kids face online and through AI, who is most vulnerable, and practical ways we can all help keep our loved ones safe.

To everyone who showed up: your presence and engagement mean so much. Together we are getting educated, getting engaged, and making a difference.

If you couldn’t make it today, visit www.cahtfl.org to learn more and stay connected. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Get Educated. Get Enraged. Get Engaged.

08/20/2026

Proof that some of the best ideas start over frozen custard. 🍦✨

Spent the afternoon with our friend Helen, fellow SouthShore Chamber member and Events Chair/Board Member of Campaign Against Human Trafficking, brainstorming ideas for the upcoming Cocktails for a Cause event.

We love collaborating with passionate people who are making a real impact in our community, and what better place to do it than over some delicious custard from Rita's in Wimauma? ❤️

Excited for what's ahead and grateful to be surrounded by people dedicated to making a difference. Stay tuned for more details on this amazing event!

08/19/2026

🎃👻 SAVE THE DATE: Halloween Bingo Fundraiser!

The Campaign Against Human Trafficking – South Shore invites you to join us for an afternoon of fun, prizes & purpose while supporting the fight against human trafficking.

📅 Sunday, October 4, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Sun City Community Hall
1910 S. Pebble Beach
Sun City Center, FL 33573

🎟️ Admission: $20 — includes 10 Bingo games!

We'll also have:
🎁 Raffles
💵 50/50 Drawing
👻 Spooky Prize Drawing for anyone wearing something Halloween-themed
🥤 BYO — Bring your own snacks & beverages

Bring your friends, enjoy an afternoon of Bingo, and help make a difference in our community.

All proceeds support survivors through support services. Survivors are victims, not criminals.

For more information, visit www.cahtfl.org

08/15/2026

More than 100 people were arrested and five human trafficking victims were rescued during "Operation Relentless Summer," a two-month operation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office targeting human trafficking, online exploitation, and s*xual offenses against children. Officials announced the results Wednesday.

Sheriff Chad Chronister said the operation used residential search warrants, dark web investigations, undercover online chat operations, and s*x offender compliance checks to identify offenders. Five victims, three adult women and two children, are now connected with support services.

This is the kind of relentless, coordinated work that saves lives. We're grateful to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and every agency involved for their commitment to protecting our community's most vulnerable.

Read the full story: https://www.fox13news.com/news/tampa-arrested-human-trafficking-victims-rescued-operation-relentless-summer

More than 100 people were arrested and five human trafficking victims were saved during "Operation Relentless Summer," a two-month operation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office which targeted human trafficking, online exploitation and s*xual offenses against children, officials announced Wednesday. 🔗⬇️

08/15/2026

A New Mexico court has ordered Meta to pay $567 million after ruling that Facebook and Instagram contributed to a youth mental health crisis in the state. Most of that money, $420 million, will fund treatment services for young people, with the remainder going toward awareness, prevention, and screening efforts over the next five years.

This penalty comes on top of a separate $375 million fine from earlier this year in the same case, for misleading users about the safety of its platforms. Meta says it will appeal and remains confident in its record of protecting teens online.

Cases like this matter to our work. Online platforms are one of the environments where predators identify and groom minors, and rulings that hold tech companies accountable for youth safety are part of the same fight we're in every day.

Read the full story from PBS News Hour: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/new-mexico-court-orders-meta-to-pay-567-million-over-mental-health-harms-to-kids-online

08/06/2026

On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) announced the formation of a new bipartisan Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Protection and Prevention Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) plans to form a companion caucus in the Senate.

The caucus will be the main forum in Congress focused on preventing trafficking, protecting survivors, prosecuting traffickers, and building partnerships across government, faith-based groups, law enforcement, and the private sector.

The lawmakers are also urging the House to move forward with HR 1144, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act of 2025, which would authorize over $1.2 billion in federal funding over five years. The bill would fund survivor housing, prevention education in schools, stronger prosecutions, and continued support for programs like the Angel Watch Center.

With an estimated 27 million people worldwide trapped in forced labor and human bo***ge, legislation like this is critical. CAHT supports efforts to move this bill forward and stands behind every survivor working toward a future free from exploitation.

Read the full announcement: https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415788

07/18/2026

🚨 10 victims rescued. 7 suspects arrested.

During "Operation Red Card," a multi-agency human trafficking operation conducted during the FIFA World Cup in South Florida, law enforcement rescued 10 victims and arrested seven individuals accused of attempting to exploit minors for commercial s*x acts. This operation is a powerful reminder that major events can create opportunities for traffickers to target vulnerable individuals.

Human trafficking happens everywhere, often hiding in plain sight. Awareness, education, and community involvement are critical in helping identify and prevent exploitation.

Read the full article here:
https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/operation-red-card-7-arrested-10-rescued-in-florida-human-trafficking-operation-during-world-cup/

If you suspect human trafficking:
📞 National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888
📱 Text "BeFree" to 233733

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Seven people were arrested after authorities said they were seeking to exploit minors for commercial s*x acts in “Operation Red Card.” As the World Cup con…