Yes, human trafficking happens everywhere.

Recently an anti-trafficking coalition in Vancouver gave the Olympic organizers an “F” for the effort, or lack thereof, to fight trafficking during the Olympic games.  Sex trafficking generally spikes around major sporting events so it’s an important time to crack down on the demand for prostitution and as well as the supply.  Unfortunately, nothing special is being done in Vancouver to do so.  According to the police,

Street-related prostitution existed before the Games, it will exist during the Games and it will exist after,” Houghton said. “Our enforcement around that will not be any different. We have a dedicated vice unit that works very closely with the girls and the guys . . . to ensure that they are safe.

And here at home in Ohio, a new study was just released stating that around 1,000 American children are forced into sex slavery in Ohio every year.  In addition, 800 immigrants are forced into slavery.  Only Miami, Portland, Ore., and Las Vegas had more arrests, investigations and rescues of trafficking victims than Toledo!  It’s hard to imagine that.  This article does a good job of explaining why that’s the case.

Speaking of Ohio, there’s an event coming up in April at Ohio State University: The Price of Life. If you’re in Ohio this would be a great event to attend in order to learn more about human trafficking.  From their website:

The purpose of the Ohio State Price of Life Invitational Campaign is to bring together leaders from the university, church community, legal and business arena and political realm with those local, national, and international organizations on the front lines in the battle against human trafficking in order to raise money, awareness, and advocates amongst faculty and students at the largest college campus in America.  Bringing the voices and talents from these diverse networks will help us stop the horrors of modern day slavery and sexual exploitation.