Human trafficking is estimated to be a 32 billion dollar a year international crisis.Most victims are teenage girls who are forced into prostitution, but they also may be ordered to work in nail salons, restaurants, farms and other businesses. Studies put Ohio fourth on the list of the worst states for human trafficking. Democratic State Representative Teresa Fedor has been working for the last eight years on legislation to battle traffickers.
Fedor says the state hosts its fifth annual human trafficking awareness day today at the Statehouse, featuring an update on legislation and presentations from survivors. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is Saturday. Over the next few days, some local communities will conduct training events to draw attention to the signs of trafficking and what people can do to help.