Florida Court Deputy Takes Steps to Fight the Human Trafficking Epidemic
Roger DeHart, a Broward County Sheriff’s Court Deputy is taking steps, in fact, lots of steps to shine a light on the human trafficking epidemic in the U.S. Roger, the founder of First S.t.o.p Inc. – Saving Teens and Others from Predators, is making the journey to increase awareness in our communities. First S.T.O.P Inc. helps provide education to teens and vulnerable individuals about human trafficking.
Be The Difference
In addition to awareness, this journey is for survivors of trafficking. Roger wants to show survivors that men stand against trafficking. In a recent interview with the Santa Ynez Valley News, Roger said in reference to his trek, “I wanted to be the face so that other males can step up and say, ‘We need to be the voice for survivors and victims of human trafficking.'” When men, especially those in law enforcement speak out against the commercial sex industry and become a voice for sex-trafficking victims and survivors, it sends a strong message.
Law Enforcement’s Role
Above and Beyond
Roger DeHart has been a Court Deputy for over 22 years and like many in law enforcement, once he learned about the horrors of human trafficking right here in the U.S., he was moved to do something about it. Roger decided on doing a Human Trafficking Awareness Walk. A 5k walk nor a marathon provided the impact Roger wanted to make. He planned a walk that was over 1000 miles in hopes to bring national attention to the problem.
Last year Roger walked from Broward County to Washington D.C. shining a light on problems surrounding human trafficking. Along the way, many people came out to greet him, bring him water, share a meal and even walk with him for parts of his journey. During these encounters, the focus of conversations was about human trafficking and what it truly looked like. People learned more in-depth information about sex trafficking and labor trafficking thanks to Roger DeHart’s walk.
This year to continue his impact on ending the trafficking of people, Roger decided to go to California. California has the most amount of calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
California Coastline
Currently, Roger is well into his walk there. He is traveling by foot, 650 miles down the California Coastline. People have come out to support his hard work and provide encouragement for the remaining part of his travels. Pictures and videos from Roger’s walk along the coast have been showing up in social media feeds. Once again people are coming out to show their support.
Some of the folks Roger has met are from; the San Francisco Police Department, Lompoc’s City Council, their District Attorney’s Office and Police Department, the City of Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.
You can follow along or connect with Roger on his facebook page.
We send lots of encouraging thoughts and well wishes as Roger continues to raise awareness in his unique yet very powerful way. Roger is a great reminder that people can do different things in different ways to help in the fight against human trafficking. Thank you Roger DeHart!
Learn more on how you can help make an impact in your neighborhood