Organizer of human trafficking march worries conspiracy theory clouds important issue

By ABC-7 Reporter Meagan Miller

As a march against human trafficking is planned in Fort Myers, some are worried the real issue might get lost in a conspiracy theory.

“Florida is the 3rd highest ranking area for human trafficking,” said Renee Williams.

Williams is a Cape Coral resident, who helped organize the march happening Saturday in downtown Fort Myers, to raise awareness about human trafficking, especially among children.

“Child trafficking is real, it’s definitely real,” said Linda Oberhaus, CEO of the Shelter for Abused Women & Children.

But Oberhaus said it might not be happening how you think.

“If you think about the movie ‘Taken’ for example, I think that really created a myth that traffickers are breaking into homes and they are kidnapping young girls, and in some cases boys, but that is really not how it happens,” Oberhaus said.

She said traffickers usually target and lure their victims either in a public place or online.

“So they literally choose their victims, they don’t steal them,” Oberhaus said.

The issue has gained prominence with the hashtag “save our children” or “save the children,” but it’s now getting blocked on some sites, because of the group said to be behind it, QAnon.

The FBI has labeled the far-right conspiracy, also called “Q,” a potential domestic threat.

Organizers of the march don’t want the real issue to get lost in a conspiracy theory.

“It has been taken over. I’ve seen that it’s been taken over and maybe that is an issue for those who aren’t educated in what human trafficking actually is,” said Williams. “It’s a real issue whether QAnon exists or not.”

She wants to keep QAnon or any politics out of the conversation at this week’s march.

“For me like I said, it’s a nonpartisan issue, this is a human rights issue,” she said.

There are rallies planned all around the country surrounding the hashtag and cause, but Oberhaus said the conversation should start at home.

“I’m not sure that a rally is really going to be helpful,” said Oberhaus. “I think what will be helpful is for parents to keep a very close eye on their kids, open communication with their kids and to be having these conversations about how people are not always who they say they are when they’re online.”

Williams said her goal is to make more people aware of what could be happening around them.

“We need to be more aware so we can help end it,” she said.

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children has a hotline that victims or anyone seeking help can call at 239-775-1101.

You can also call the National Human Trafficking hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888 or text  “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733.