Human trafficking is a fast growing crime that is more often than not being ignored. Though shown in fictional works such as “Law & Order: SVU” or the 2008 movie “Taken”, the crime is very real and is happening even in Ohio. In fact, Ohio is number five in the U.S. for Human trafficking with Toledo ranking number four as a recruiting site, with 27 cases being recorded within an 18-month period.
On Tuesday, Nov. 18 Sinclair Talks tackled the subject of human trafficking in a presentation hosted by Faculty member Sarah Davis. In the presentation, Sarah went over ways human traffickers prey on children, one being “the Romeo Effect”, when an older man begins treating a girl or woman as a girlfriend and after a while, the man will lure the woman into prostituting by false pretenses, saying they want to run away with them for a better life. Other ways people have been lured into human trafficking include promises of a career opportunity, being introduced to a friend who is already in trafficking themselves and even being kidnapped off the street.
“It’s happening everywhere, from bus stops to playgrounds, and at churches” says Davis, “Traffickers have a plan when it comes into recruitment, to go into places where youth are vulnerable and they’re not afraid to do it and that’s the problem”.
Davis also explained why Ohio is ranked number five in most trafficked states because Ohio is mostly highways and it only takes a couple of hours to get out of the state. He also explained the many ways and reasons why humans are trafficked, mostly for monetary gain.
Davis went on to say that there are ways to stop human trafficking.
“There are signs to look for in a person you suspect is being trafficked. Look for younger people who are by themselves who look paranoid but willing to approach men. Look for sharp-dressed girls traveling around with all their belongings in just a plastic grocery bag and if the girl has someone’s name tattooed on them, mostly their neck.”
Davis concluded the Sinclair talks by naming organizations that help people escape from human trafficking, some even in the Miami Valley.
“There are so many ways to get involved. Do not be afraid to call or tell someone if you recognize any of these signs of human trafficking.”
If you or someone you suspect is involved in human trafficking, please contact the national human trafficking hotline at 1-888-373-7888
For information on
human trafficking
in Dayton, check out
befreedayton.org