Source: newsnet5.com
04/24/2012
CLEVELAND - It is a fast growing problem in Ohio that just a few years ago no one even talked about: human trafficking. Tuesday night city and community leaders gathered on Cleveland’s west side to discuss the growing problem and begin the dialogue they believe is key to fighting it.
It’s estimated that more than 1,000 kids in Ohio are victims of human trafficking; forced, coerced or tricked into a world of modern day slavery. The Toledo area is one of the top five areas in the country for it.
The Collaborative Initiative to End Human Trafficking forum was designed to educate the public about the practice that has grown to become the world’s second largest criminal activity behind drugs and what how to spot the victim’s among us.
The transformation of downtown Cleveland with the opening next month of the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland is part of the reason for the educational forum said city leaders. With success comes opportunity for those involved in this human sex trade.
"In the entertainment society and community like we're building downtown in the city of Cleveland and across the city of Cleveland, we want to be pro active in order to try to prevent these dangers that come with that type of service industry,” said Blane Griffin, Executive Director of the city’s Community Relations Board.
The forum showed how easy it is for those involved to trick or coerce impressionable young teens into situations where there’s seemingly no turning back.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission has made human trafficking training mandatory for its agents that will patrol the casino. Cleveland police also receive training on what to look for in potential victims.
One of the keys, said Nancy Ruiz, mother of missing Cleveland teen Gina DeJesus who was last seen in 2004, is for parents to not just talk with their kids but listen to them.
Additional forums are planned across the city in the coming months.
No comments:
Post a Comment