Recap of Human Trafficking Awareness Event

On Monday, January 25, 2016, the Ashland Center for Nonviolence sponsored an event raising awareness of human trafficking, a practice best equated to modern-day slavery under which individuals are forced to work in the sex industry or as laborers for little to no pay.

Theresa Flores, human trafficking survivor

Theresa Flores and Jen Albert, both survivors of human trafficking and now soldiers in the fight to stop sex trafficking, spoke on the importance of recognizing the signs, spreading awareness, and knowing how to help.

Students entering the field of Criminal Justice will certainly face this issue, as human trafficking is now the second leading and fastest growing crime, according to Theresa Flores.  

Professional Instructor of Criminal Justice, Marc Hedrick, adds:

“The Ohio the Attorney General’s Office recently said that local law enforcement made more arrests for human trafficking and received more tips about forced sex or labor crimes in 2015 as compared to 2014. While that may sound depressing at first, it is also a good sign that law enforcement has become more aware and started taking action against human trafficking. It is also good that more people are becoming aware of something happening in the United States that most people thought only happened in third world nations these days.”
 

To further facilitate awareness, the Criminal Justice and Religion programs will be revitalizing Ashland University’s Human Trafficking Awareness Group (HTAG).  For any students interested in joining the group, there will be an informational meeting on February 9^th at 3:30 in Rinehart 113.  This is a great way to begin to get involved and learn more about a modern day human atrocity that is occurring right here in America.  Contact Professor Dickson in the Religion Department at sdickso2@ashland.edu, with questions or for more information.