Representatives from more than 20 organizations learned the red flags that could signal a person is involved with human trafficking during a seminar Thursday at Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center.
“Trafficking is a very serious issue,” said Gloria Mathis, a coordinator of the crisis response team for Lucas County and attendee to the seminar. “More serious than our community is aware of.”
Awareness is the first step, and the rest of what is needed to fight human trafficking consists of ever-changing details on trafficker tactics and what resources are available to help individuals who are caught up in trafficking.
Part of the reason the seminar took place inside the hospital is because victims of human trafficking could be identified through a trauma-related incident in the hospital.
“My message to the community is there’s more than just sex trafficking,” said Sonya Newton, a victim advocate and community outreach coordinator at Mercy Health.
Work force trafficking was also listed by Ms. Newton, which includes immigrants who may be conned by individuals or organizations hoping to exploit their labor.