News Flash

Right now in Ohio, more than 2,000 school-age children are potentially at risk of being forced into human trafficking through exploited labor, domestic servitude or prostitution.   Children, especially those not living with their parents, are vulnerable.  The average entry age into the commercial sex market is 12-14, although it is not unusual for the age to be younger.  

Because the demand for young victims if large, the traffickers find students through telephone chat lines, clubs, on the street through friends, and at malls.


How do you identify a victim of human trafficking?   While not all of the behaviors listed below indicate that a child is a victim, they do indicate red flags of concern.   

* Does not attend school regularly;
* Runs away from home regularly;
* Has unexplained absences from school and is considered a truant;
* Talks about frequent travel to other cities;
* Has bruises or other physical trauma, is withdrawn and seems depressed or afraid;
* Doesn’t seem to have control over her/his own schedule or identification documents;
* Is hungry, malnourished or dressed inappropriately for weather conditions or surroundings;
* Shows signs of drug addiction;
* Demonstrates a sudden change in clothing, behavior or has expensive items that a child usually cannot afford;
* Makes references to sexual situations that are unusual for a child of that age;
* Has a “boyfriend” who is noticeably older (10 years);
* Uses language that is beyond his/her normal age or terms that are used in the commercial sex industry; engages in promiscuous behavior; and may be labeled “fast” by peers.

Report Human Trafficking by calling 911 or 888-373-7888.