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WUFT | News and public media for north central Florida

Human trafficking thwarted through awareness

By Jasmine Oliphant

January 8, 2026 at 10:10 PM EST

This Sunday, January 11th, is Human Trafficking Awareness Day and experts say many children are first led away through conversations and catfishing online.

Sherry Kitchens is the CEO and president of the Child Advocacy Center in Gainesville. They helped over 60 children in 2025. The group will host a virtual symposium to expose the techniques of traffickers and what to do.