Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced a $600,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant to Gulfcoast Legal Services in Pinellas County to bolster assistance to human trafficking victims in the Tampa Bay area.

“Sex and labor traffickers prey on our vulnerable neighbors.  This grant will provide more tools to Gulfcoast Legal Services and local law enforcement to aid victims of human trafficking.   GulfCoast now will be able to serve more than double the number of clients than previous years and will spur on the important work of the Tampa Bay Area Task Force on Human Trafficking,” U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said. “Legal assistance for victims is critical to ensure that criminals are brought to justice. Furthermore, our community believes that victims should be treated with dignity and that our most vulnerable have a shot at safety, healing and surviving.”

Gulfcoast is one of only 10 grantees nationwide that received more than $5.6 million to provide specialized services for victims of human trafficking.

“The grant from the U.S. Department of Justice will allow us to expand our services for the next three years,” John Dubrule, executive director for Gulfcoast Legal Services. “We would not be able to maintain and expand our staff without this grant.”

Florida ranks third in the number of reported cases of human trafficking and experts state that Tampa Bay is a hotbed, occurring anywhere, from urban to rural areas and found in a wide variety of venues. Dubrule explained the kinds of human trafficking cases that his agency has already seen, including individuals who were lured into the country for domestic servitude but with no freedom of movement or contact with family back home; otherwise, family back home is threatened with harm or even death. Others have been forced into prostitution and at some point charged with prostitution. Gulfcoast has assisted these clients with expunging the charges if they were victims of sex trafficking so that they are able to move forward with their lives.

Other cases involve agricultural or construction workers brought into the country and charged exorbitant fees to do so, but end up working for little or no pay. Dennis Mahilu’s case is similar. He and his wife, Neveh, and daughter, Kate, were present today for U.S. Rep. Castor’s grant announcement and his wife told his story of being forced to work with no pay. He escaped when a friend put him touch with Gulfcoast Legal Services.

“Words can’t express how grateful we are,” Neveh said.

“Human trafficking cases aren’t resolved with an arrest,” said Major David Dalton of Clearwater Police and the Tampa Bay Area Task Force on Human Trafficking. “Identifying the victim is another starting point and could help us identify others.”

Gulfcoast is part of the Clearwater/Tampa Bay Area Task Force on Human Trafficking, which also includes representatives from local and federal law enforcement; the Florida Health Department; Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General; World Relief, Haven Spouse Abuse Shelter; Salvation Army and the Clearwater Hispanic Outreach Center. Gulfcoast also assists domestic violence victims obtain injunctions, child custody, support and alimony; homeowners on the brink of foreclosure; veterans; immigrants; and seniors with health care rights and other matters.

“We have a community responsibility to help our neighbors who have been victimized and experienced the unimaginable,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “While many of my Republican colleagues have inflicted significant reductions in legal aid over the past few years, I oppose those who say ‘You can’t get help and pursue a path towards survival.’”