Sexual Violence Task Force of Tampa Bay

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay Presents Summer Training Series:

Women, Sexual Violence and Human Trafficking: Effects of Sexual Violence and Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Workshop

Marilyn Bray, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

Giselle Rodriguez, FCAHT State Outreach Coordinator

CEU’s are available for this workshop.

When: July 27, 2012 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Where: Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

2nd Floor Board Room

One Crisis Center Plaza

Tampa, FL 33613

Topics to Include:

•Continuum of Sexual Violence

•Emotional, Mental and Physical Effects

•Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking

•What is Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking?

•Recruitment and Grooming of a Victim

•Identifying Victims

•Identifying Service Providers

•Trauma Informed Approach to Services

Presented by:

Giselle Rodriguez is the State Outreach Coordinator for the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking. As the State Outreach Coordinator, Giselle has trained staff members in numerous code enforcement, law enforcement, faith based organizations, health care providers, Social service providers, judges and prosecutors. Giselle has also spoken at local high schools and colleges regarding the issue of human trafficking within the state of Florida. Aside from training Giselle is the Founder of the Tampa Bay Rescue and Restore and the Co Founder of the Orlando Rescue and Restore. The Tampa Bay Rescue and Restore solely focuses on the issue of the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking and how to better improve the type of services that this specific population is in need of. Due to her knowledge and experience in the field of human trafficking, Giselle has been able to collaborate and volunteer as a trainer for the Organization of America States Anti Trafficking in Persons Unit. Through the volunteer opportunity through the OAS, Giselle has been able to train law enforcement officials, immigration officials, Judges, prosecutors and Consular officials on the issue of human Trafficking in countries such as Jamaica, St. Kitts and various other countries throughout the Caribbean.

Giselle has also coordinated several street outreach events throughout the Tampa Bay area. During one of the outreach events in Wimuama, Giselle and her volunteers were able to identify 3 potential labor trafficking victims. These 3 men in turn lead Giselle and The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office to an additional 4 male victims. Giselle was also the event coordinator for the outreach event that took place during Superbowl 43 in Tampa. During this particular outreach event, over 40 volunteers participated and numerous leads on potential cases were provided to local law enforcement. The Superbowl outreach was such a success that is was conducted during Superbowl 44 in Miami, Superbowl 45 in Dallas, Texas and Superbowl 47 in Indianapolis. In 2010, Giselle decided to do a similar type of outreach during the Florida Classic in Orlando. This event was successful as one young woman was rescued and various other leads for law enforcement were produced.

Due to Giselle’s passion in working with children, she has been able to go to various schools, shelters and churches to educate the youth on the issue of human trafficking. Giselle has been praised by many adults on how many of the children she has spoken have changed their view points on the issue of pimping and the pimp culture itself. Giselle has also conducted numerous trainings on the issue of Child Labor. Due to this, many people have advised Giselle of how they have changed their buying habits and are now supporting the Fair Trade movement.

Recently, Giselle’s work against human trafficking was commended by Florida U.S Senator Marco Rubio as well as FBI Special Agent Gregory Christopher.