Shannima Yuantrell Session, also known as Shalamar, a 47-year-old resident of Lake Placid, Florida, was sentenced to life in prison for trafficking nearly a dozen women and girls.

This sentencing follows a jury's conviction in the Southern District of Florida, where Session was found guilty of ten counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and three counts of sex trafficking of a minor. The court has scheduled a restitution hearing for April 17.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael S. Davis for the Southern District of Florida emphasized the priority of protecting victims of human trafficking and child exploitation. He stated that the U.S. Attorney's Office is committed to aggressively combating these exploitative crimes that victimize the most vulnerable members of society.

Davis highlighted that human beings are not commodities to be bought and sold, but rather demand united protection. He praised the dedicated team of prosecutors, victim witness coordinators, and support personnel who work with law enforcement partners to combat human trafficking and child exploitation, bringing offenders like Session to justice.

Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office described the substantial sentence as indicative of the egregious sexual exploitation committed by Session on numerous juveniles and women in Highlands County, Florida.

During the nine-day trial in September 2024, evidence demonstrated that Session compelled victims to commit commercial sex acts between July 2011 and July 2013, as well as between February 2016 and February 2019. Session lured women and girls struggling with unstable living conditions, substance abuse, and neglect by promising legitimate work and housing assistance.

These promises were often false and designed to exploit the victims' vulnerabilities. Session misrepresented himself as caring and empathetic, only to later control and coerce the victims using food and housing as leverage. For instance, he would deny food to a victim who did not follow his instructions. Additionally, Session required his victims to engage in sexual activity with him after they had been compelled to have sexual intercourse with up to 18 men in a single night.

Commentary

Child sex trafficking is a severe form of human trafficking that involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of children for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

This can include forcing children into prostitution, producing child sexual abuse material, or other forms of sexual exploitation.

According to the United Nations, children make up 27 percent of all human trafficking victims worldwide, with two out of every three identified child victims being girls.

In 2020, nearly 20,000 children were identified as trafficking victims globally, although the actual number is likely much higher due to significant challenges in detection and reporting. Over the past 15 years, the proportion of children among detected victims has tripled.

Child safe environment programs can play a crucial role in preventing child sex trafficking by taking several proactive steps:

• Education and Awareness: Educate participating adults and others about the signs of child trafficking and how traffickers operate. Awareness is the first step in prevention.
• Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with children and young people. Encourage them to speak up about any uncomfortable or suspicious situations.
• Safe Environments: Create safe environments for children, both online and offline. Monitor their internet usage and educate them about online safety.
• Support and Resources: Provide support and resources to children who may be vulnerable to trafficking. This includes offering emotional support, access to education, and safe housing.
• Community Involvement: Get involved in community efforts to combat trafficking. Support local organizations that work to prevent trafficking and assist victims.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect a child is being trafficked, report it to the authorities immediately. Many countries have hotlines and resources dedicated to handling such reports.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/shannima-yuantrell-session-also-known-shalamar-47-lake-placid-florida-was-sentenced-today; https://www.unodc.org/unodc/frontpage/2024/July/explainer_-understanding-child-trafficking.html; https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/child-trafficking/; https://www.savethechildren.org/us/charity-stories/child-trafficking-myths-vs-facts; and, https://publichealth.jhu.edu/moore-center-for-the-prevention-of-child-sexual-abuse/get-support/resources-for-parents-caregivers-and-children