It’s estimated that more than 1,000 in Ohio are victims of sex-trafficking each year. 300,000 children nationwide are considered to be at high risk. Those numbers are galvanizing politicians, police agencies and other organizations to raise awareness about the war on human trafficking.
On Friday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman and local leaders will gather at the University of Dayton for an open forum on Human Trafficking. A local group, Be Free Dayton, is one of many that will take part in the discussion. Executive director Elizabeth Van Dyne says they’re looking for more Ohioans to join the battle.
“You know, Human trafficking is called modern day slavery for a reason, and we need modern day abolitionists that are out on the front lines every day creating and spreading this grassroots mission because that’s how we’re actually going to make a difference,” says Van Dyne.
U.S. Senator Rob Portman, who co-chairs the Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking, will lead the discussions in today’s forum, with input local organizations and University of Dayton human rights faculty and students. The forum is open to the public.
