Stop Abuse, Fight Exploitation Initiative (S.A.F.E. Initiative)

The S.A.F.E. Initiative aims to reduce human trafficking, prevent victims from being recruited, and shut down illicit massage businesses by closing illegal businesses and disrupting profit.

Illicit massage businesses are storefronts that appear to be legitimate but instead facilitate commercial sex, human and labor trafficking. They are often located in plazas and strip malls alongside legitimate businesses such as restaurants, daycares, and grocery stores. They can affect public safety and local economies.

This initiative focuses on mobilizing landlords, local government, law enforcement, and communities to identify these types of businesses and make it difficult for them to continue to operate in Broward County.

S.A.F.E. involves bringing together prosecutors, law enforcement, code enforcement, local government, regulatory agencies, homeowners, landlords, business owners and tenants to be on the lookout for signs of human trafficking in local businesses. Once suspected illicit massage businesses are identified, all of these groups will work in a coordinated fashion to eradicate the criminal activity.

S.A.F.E. Initiative Programs

Landlord Engagement Program

The Landlord Engagement Program, which involves alerting landlords about illegal activity occurring on their property and inviting them to work with the State Attorney’s Office and the local police agency to address the issue. The goals include informing landlords about possible illegal activity on their property, educating landlords about their rights and responsibilities as commercial landlords, and motivating landlords to terminate or not renew leases for IMB tenants.

Regulatory Engagement Program

The Regulatory Engagement Program that partners law enforcement with state agencies to share intelligence and collaborate efforts. Regulatory approaches can be used to critically review suspects’ licenses and enforce penalties in situations where a landlord is unresponsive or uncooperative.

Red flags for these types of businesses include:

  • The permit or license held by the business is for a different type of business.

  • Operating at unusual hours, compared to nearby businesses.
  • Storefront is curtained or blocked by dark-tinted windows.
  • No receptionist/reception area.
  • Cameras inside and outside are positioned to see entrants rather than for security purposes.
  • Location is kept locked and opened only when customers are at the door.
  • Employer-provided housing or employees living in business.

  • ATM on site.

The State Attorney’s Office partners with municipalities to file nuisance abatement civil actions against uncooperative or unresponsive landlords and tenants.

Law enforcement agencies and the State Attorney’s Office are committed to pursuing criminal charges when there is sufficient evidence.

For more information or to report suspected illicit massage businesses, call us at 954-831-7487.
(In an emergency, call 911.)

You can email the SAFE Initiative team at: safeinitiative@browardsao.com

Contact the S.A.F.E. Initiative Team

If you want to report a suspected illicit massage business, please contact us. Submit your name, contact information and a brief description of the business and its address.

Broward State Attorney’s Office Programs