Human trafficking scourge gets attention of Ohio’s AG

When Gov. Ted Strickland signed Ohio’s first trafficking-in-persons law, most Ohioans probably wondered why this state would even need such a statute. After all, the news stories have focused on countries like Thailand, where the child sex industry is thriving.

But, a report released this week by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center shows that America is not exempt from this scourge.

Indeed, the Greater Cincinnati Human Trafficking Report, which notes that 100,000 to 300,000 American youth are at high risk of being trafficked for sex, describes Ohio as a high supply, transit and destination state for victims.

Cases have been identified throughout Ohio.

That’s why the law signed by the governor is so important and why an initiative launched this week by Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray deserves public support.

Cordray presided over the first gathering of the Trafficking-in-Persons Study Commission which will determine the extent of human trafficking in Ohio and come up with recommendations to address the problem.

It is a problem — nationally and globally.

Here’s how former President George W. Bush framed the issue as he signed the U.S. Child Protect Act in 2003:

“The victims of sex trade see little life before they see the very worse of life; an underground of brutality and lonely fear. Those who create these victims and profit from their suffering must be severely punished.”

International borders

The U.S, State Department has estimated that human traffickers move about 800,000 people across international borders annually, while millions of others are forcibly transported within their own countries. There are some 20,000 victims in the United States. Human trafficking involves sexual exploitation and/or forced labor.

Last year, the American Baptist Women’s Ministries, a national umbrella for state and regional groups, launched “Break the Chains, Slavery in the 21st Century,” a three-year project.

In a speech to the Trumbull Baptist Association, Judy Douglas, state coordinator for missions and services in Ohio for ABWM, said the three fastest growing crimes are drugs, arms dealing and sex trade. And, she added, “Drugs and weapons may be sold once; bodies can be sold daily. Surely God weeps when he sees this.”

Attorney General Cordray is right in saying that human trafficking is a problem that largely flies under the radar and that the state lacks comprehensive statistics accounting to show the extent of the problem.

It is hoped that with his commission, this crime against humanity will get the attention it deserves.

One way to fight the scourge is to make public the names of the traders and of the individuals who buy these human beings. In addition, the men who use the victims for sex and other inhumane acts should also be paraded in public.

While the United States has taken steps to address this stain on humanity’s conscience, the United Nations and other international organizations must also act aggressively to bring an end to illegal sex tourism and human trafficking.

The movie “Taken,” starring Liam Neeson, provides a dramatic look at just how lucrative this worldwide industry has become.

It should shock the senses of any decent human being.