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Human
Trafficking Awareness Month
COLUMBUS,
OHIO – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is
joining with the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force and partner
organizations around the state to recognize January as Human
Trafficking Awareness Month.
“Ohio
has made great strides in the ongoing fight against both labor and
sex trafficking; however, there is so much more we can do,” said
ODJFS Director Cynthia C. Dungey. “ODJFS encourages all Ohioans to
be aware of the signs that someone may be a victim of human
trafficking. If they see anything suspicious, they should contact
local law enforcement or call the National Human Trafficking Resource
Center at 1-888-373-7888.”
Sometimes
called modern-day slavery, human trafficking is a crime in which
individuals are forced to engage in labor and/or sex trafficking.
Signs of human trafficking include the following:
The
appearance of physical or sexual abuse or malnourishment
Young
women who are with older males, especially at hotels or truck stops,
and who appear to be fearful or overly submissive
Individuals
who are fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, nervous or
paranoid
Sleeping
bags or cots at a business where workers appear to be given a ride to
and from work together at one time
Scripted
or rehearsed answers to casual questions
Ohioans
of all ages and demographics can become victims of human trafficking,
but children and teenagers are especially vulnerable. It’s
estimated that more than 1,000 Ohio children a year become victims of
sex trafficking, and at least 3,000 more are at risk.
In
2013, ODJFS entered into a partnership with the Ohio Network of
Children’s Advocacy Centers (ONCAC) to help minors who are victims
of human trafficking. ODJFS is providing ONCAC with $523,200 to train
advocacy centers to provide direct services to minor victims, provide
community workshops on human trafficking, and link each center with
the regional Ohio Network of Anti-Human Trafficking Coalitions. When
appropriate, the centers also assist with human trafficking
investigations.
More
information about human trafficking is available at
http://humantrafficking.ohio.gov/.
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