BY DAN HILDEBRAN
The Clay County Sheriff’s Net, a community outreach platform of Sheriff Michelle Cook, hosted Max McDaniel on July 25 at First Baptist Church in Keystone Heights, who spoke about human trafficking.
McDaniel, a distinguished advocate with a U.S. Presidential Flag of Excellence from President Reagan for her transformative educational work, began her talk with a personal story.
4-year-old daughter kidnapped
She said that 54 years ago, her four-year-old daughter was abducted, an experience that fueled her lifelong commitment to fighting human trafficking and domestic violence.
“My life would have been over, my marriage would have been over,” she said, recounting the incident that was resolved through swift community and law enforcement action.
The presentation, supported by a detailed booklet from the Orange Park Woman’s Club, covered critical aspects of human trafficking. McDaniel debunked myths through an interactive quiz, revealing that human trafficking occurs in the U.S., with Nevada, Mississippi, and Florida ranking among the top states due to factors like entertainment hubs, agricultural labor, and coastal access.
She clarified that victims span all social classes and that trafficking includes forced labor, organ harvesting, and sex trafficking, not just smuggling.
77% of victims are in forced labor
Attendees learned the “three C’s” of human trafficking—cash, control, and coercion—and a simplified definition for human trafficking: “Coercion or control against one’s will for forced labor, forced sex, or stealing of body parts.”
McDaniel highlighted the role of cartels, which involve not only criminals but also professionals like attorneys and bankers who facilitate trafficking operations.
She emphasized the vulnerability of children, teenagers, and adults, noting that 77% of victims are in forced labor, with 67% being men and boys.
The speaker provided practical tools for identifying victims, such as recognizing signs of physical or environmental control, and urged attendees to memorize the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888).
McDaniel taught attendees the international SOS signal—hand out, thumb tucked, fingers closed—and an audible SOS code (three short, three long, three short taps) for emergencies. A real-life scenario illustrated the importance of discreet action, such as observing a child signaling for help at a gas station without alerting the trafficker.
Parents urged to monitor their children’s internet use
Wayne McKinney, Sheriff Cook’s director of patrol and community affairs, added to McDaniel’s presentation by discussing the Intercept Task Force, a multi-county initiative funded partly by Operation Light Shine, a Tim Tebow Foundation program. The task force targets internet crimes against children, a growing trafficking avenue.
McKinney noted that grooming, often facilitated through online platforms such as TikTok or gaming apps, is a common tactic. He urged parents to monitor their children’s internet use closely.
McDaniel concluded with actionable steps to eradicate trafficking, including advocating for more funding for law enforcement, supporting organizations like Rethread, which sells products made by trafficking survivors, and buying from companies free of child or forced labor.
She recommended the film “Sound of Freedom” to learn more about the dangers of deceptive promises used by traffickers.
