VIDEO: On National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Attorney General Moody Adds First Florida Hospital to 100 Percent Club

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—On National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Attorney General Ashley Moody is announcing the addition of Tampa General Hospital to the 100 Percent Club. Attorney General Moody’s 100 Percent Club recognizes businesses who train employees to spot and report human trafficking. Tampa General Hospital is the first hospital to join the club. Studies have found that more than 88% of human trafficking victims come into contact with the health care system while being trafficked. Now, medical staff at TGH is trained and equipped to spot and report signs of trafficking.

TGH’s Clinical Education Department will also be placing informational signage around the hospital so visitors and trafficking victims in need of medical care know how to seek help.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Human trafficking harms victims in various ways—with most seeking medical care at some point during their captivity. That is why it is so important that doctors, nurses and medical staff know how to spot and report human trafficking. I am pleased to announce on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day that we have added our first Florida hospital to our 100 Percent Club, and the staff at Tampa General Hospital will now be trained to be our eyes and ears to help victims escape captivity. TGH’s proactive stance sets a powerful precedent in our collective efforts to protect victims, stop trafficking and prosecute traffickers.”

Tampa General Hospital President and CEO John Couris said, “Patients across the state and the nation turn to Tampa General Hospital for world-class care. The care we provide at TGH often extends beyond the walls of our hospital to ensure our patients are safe and have access to basic necessities. Our team can also play an important role in putting an end to human trafficking. Through information and training, we’re working to equip our team with the knowledge to act when we come across a victim and engage law enforcement to respond. We’re proud to partner with Attorney General Ashley Moody on this important effort, and I am grateful to our team for taking the initiative to join the 100 Percent Club, further elevating our care for the patients and communities we serve.”

TGH reportedly sees more than 780,000 patients a year, and more than 8,000 hospital staff members pass by signage daily on how to report human trafficking. With the addition of the Clinical Education Department, there are nearly 10,000 individuals trained in the 100 Percent Club to spot and report human trafficking. 

Attorney General Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will also provide an in-depth human trafficking prevention training to TGH’s surgical staff. The training will involve specialized instruction in how the hospital staff should interact with identified victims.

Attorney General Moody launched the 100 Percent Club in 2022 to recognize companies taking proactive steps to train employees on the signs of human trafficking. To join the 100 Percent Club, companies commit to providing this training to employees and issuing a quick-reference guide about how to report human trafficking. To learn more about the 100 Percent Club, click here. 

To learn the signs of human trafficking and where to report suspicious activity, visit YouCanStopHT.com.

The 2023 Human Trafficking Summit is still available to view. To learn more about Florida’s fight to end human trafficking, access the summit’s hours of educational content, including a keynote address by America’s Most Wanted host John Walsh, by clicking here.

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