A local group puts the spotlight on human trafficking in hopes to make it stop here in our community.
It is a growing epidemic across the world and right here in Allen County.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime define human trafficking as an act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring or receiving a person through a use of force, coercion or other means, for the purpose of exploiting them.
The Northwest Ohio Human Trafficking Rescue and Restore Coalition wants to get the community involved and trained to recognize the signs of someone who is in trouble.
Teens are some of the most vulnerable to human trafficking. Some red flags you may notice, younger girls having an older boyfriend she won't introduce you to that is controlling. Also if a teen has hotel keys. Unexplained injuries that could lead to an emergency room visit. The coalition hopes that talking about the problem may help stop it.
The training is titled "Waiting for us to Care" responding to human trafficking in our community. It will be Friday April 27 at the Bradfield Center from 9 to 3 pm. First responders, medical personal and anyone who might initially come into contact with victims of human trafficking are encouraged to attend.
