City of Westerville, OH
Home MenuNational Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Westerville is joining the efforts to spread awareness of Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month to help bring attention to the realities of forced labor and sex trafficking of millions of people around the globe. Human trafficking affects all populations - adults, children, men, women, foreign nationals and all economic classes. Specifically, more than 25 million people are thought to be subjected to human trafficking around the world, including in the United States.
People Impacted by Human Trafficking
The U.S. Department of State recommends learning the indicators of human trafficking and how to spot potential victims. Impacted individuals may live with their employer in poor conditions and/or with multiple other people. They may be unable to speak to anyone alone and show signs of physical abuse. Those experiencing human trafficking may be submissive and fearful and respond in rehearsed or scripted statements.
According to experts, human traffickers prey on people with little or no social safety net. Traffickers exploit people for cheap labor by preying on individuals in vulnerable situations due to economic hardship, illegal immigration status, political instability, natural disasters and other causes. Traffickers also exploit people who are vulnerable because of their age. It is important to note that legal migrants can also be vulnerable to trafficking.
Impacted populations include, but are not limited to: children in the foster care system, homeless youth, migrant workers, undocumented immigrants, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals and those with physical and cognitive disabilities.
Globally, trafficking in persons is on the rise. Statistics show that:
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$99 billion per year is made from sex trafficking
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4.5 million people worldwide are victims of forced sexual exploitation
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1 in 6 endangered runaways reported in the U.S. are likely to become sex trafficking victims
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In some parts of Africa and the Mekong region, children are the most sexually exploited
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Females victims forced into domestic servitude are often sexually exploited as well
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$51 billion per year is accumulated from the use of forced labor
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21 million people worldwide are victims of forced labor
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Migrants are particularly vulnerable to forced labor practices
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20% of human trafficking victims are children
Human Trafficking in Ohio
Research shows the state ranks among the top five in the nation for human trafficking cases. The Ohio Attorney General reports statewide anti-trafficking task forces received 627 tips, which led to 621 interviews and referrals for services in 2021 alone. Trafficking tips come in through hotline numbers, emails, and calls from concerned community members, parents, social service providers, law enforcement, and health care providers, among others. Click here to view human trafficking warning signs from the Ohio Attorney General.