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News: Myths about Human Trafficking

Many people believe that human trafficking is something that only happens overseas, that the white van driving around the mall is looking to kidnap the next human trafficking victim, that all those victims are female and that human trafficking only involves sex trafficking. These and so many more myths make it difficult to truly fight the crime of human trafficking. It does happen overseas but in rural Ohio, it is more likely to be someone the person knows.

 

Most trafficking victims are not kidnapped but groomed by those close contacts or contacts with which they willingly engage over the internet. While sex trafficking is prevalent in Ohio as the primary means, labor trafficking and domestic servitude also are found. And the victims are not always girls and women but men and boys as well.  Recently social media has exploded with untrue stories regarding human trafficking. These stories are spread by well-meaning individuals that are not aware they are false or misleading. To see more on these visit https://polarisproject.org/blog/2020/07/how-unproven-trafficking-stories-spread-online-and-why-stopping-them-matters/ 

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For more information, please visit: 

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Polaris Project https://polarisproject.org/myths-facts-and-statistics/ 


The Ohio Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Initiative https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-Families/Victims/Human-Trafficking/Did-you-know 


Dept of Homeland Security Blue Campaign https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/myths-and-misconceptions 

 

 

Eyes Up Appalachia does not provide direct victim services. For training or additional information please contact me at eyesupappalachia@yahoo.com.  

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If you see signs of sexual assault or trafficking of a child, contact law enforcement, your local child protection services agency or contact 855-O-H-CHILD (855-642-4453) to connect to your county reporting agency.
 

If you are in:

- Athens, Vinton, Perry, Hocking or Morgan Counties call Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program's

   hotline at 740-591-4266.

- Gallia, Meigs, Lawrence or Jackson County call Square One's hotline at 740-441-5809.

Ross County call or text the domestic violence line at the Community Action Agency at 740-637-1610.  The Child Protection Center for HT purposes after hours call 740-779-7434.

- Pike County call the Beloved Advocacy Center at 740-947-1611 24/7 or via text 740-365-HOPE(4673).

- Muskingum, Perry and Morgan Counties call Transitions at 740-454-3213 or text at  740-630-4354.

- Ashtabula County call HomeSafe's hotline at 440-992-2727.

Belmont, Harrison, Monroe Counties call Tri-County Help Center at  740-695-5441.

- Tuscawaras call COMPASS at 330-339-1427.

Highland, Adams, Brown and Clermont call End Slavery Cincinnati at 513-800-1863

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If you need additional assistance, call the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888

or text “BeFree”   233733.

 

Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for 

online exploitation at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) and their

CyberTipline: MissingKids.org

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If there is immediate danger call 911. 

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© 2024 by Eyes Up Appalachia

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