DAVIE, Fla. - January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and Broward College is doing its part with the 4th Annual 5K Walk for Human Trafficking Awareness.

The walk will take place 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus, Bldg. 19, 3501 Davie Rd., Davie. The walk is part of the College’s years-long efforts to raise awareness about the severity of the issue in Florida, which ranks third in the nation for reported human trafficking cases.

"The Human Trafficking Awareness 5K brings our community together to shine a light on this urgent issue while empowering tomorrow’s leaders through scholarships in our Pathway program," said Phillipa Vassell, a Broward College alumna who organizes the event and works in the Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences & Human Services Pathway.

The 2025 walk drew more than 200 registered walkers/runners and raised more than $2,000 for the SBSHS Scholarship Fund, according to Dr. Lulrick Balzora, dean of the SBSHS Pathway. The event featured representatives from three federal and local law enforcement agencies, two anti-trafficking non-profits, and a survivor, demonstrating strong community collaboration.

“The atmosphere was highly educational, with all participants receiving resource packets on local intervention services,” Balzora said.

As in past years, the walk will be preceded by a human trafficking awareness info session taking place in person and livestreamed via Zoom. Hosted by Dr. Victoria Brower, it will take place at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 in room 425 of the University College Library on Central Campus.

The College’s efforts on raising awareness grew out of projects that students worked on. A group of students transformed their passion for the topic into a formal club called PSG: End the Demand (Promoting Global Safety).

-BC-