This document discusses the issue of human trafficking in schools in Sandusky, Ohio and surrounding areas. It provides statistics on human trafficking in Ohio, noting that it is the 5th leading state and that students as young as 12 are being trafficked. It argues that teachers and staff should receive training to recognize the signs of human trafficking, as those between 12-14 are most at risk. It recommends mandating continuing education for teachers on human trafficking and implementing a protocol for schools to address the issue.

1. FREE Human Trafficking programs:
Jumpstart awarenessbyprovidingfree training
foundat the followingwebsites:
Departmentof HomelandSecurity
http://www.dhs.gov/blue-ampaign/awareness-
training
and
http://helpingtraffickedpersons.org/
National Human Trafficking Resource Center
hotline 1-888- 3737-888
http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2012/05/20/f
ormer-sex-slave-warns-of-human-trafficking/
Suggestion:
Train teachersandsupportstaff on human
traffickingprotocol:
http://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/human-trafficking-
americas-schools/sample-protocol-school-districts
STUDENTS AS YOUNG AS 12
ARE BEING SOLD FOR SEX
AIM
To persuade school Principalstopropose and
implementpolicychangesto acknowledgethat
Human TraffickingisaprobleminSandusky,
Ohioand surroundingcommunities. To
increase awareness and concern on behalf
of teachers for students and how they are
targeted and made victims of human
trafficking by traffickers. To decrease
instances of human trafficking amongst the
student population through recognition of
warning signs and mandated training and
protocol for school teachers and staff.
Traffickingcaninvolve vulnerable school-age
youth,susceptible tobeingexploitedby
challengingfamilysituations,andcantake a
range of formsincludingforcedlabor,domestic
servitude,andcommercial sexualexploitation.
, “Ohio is the fifth leading state for human
trafficking. Lorain, she said, is ideal for human
trafficking due to its location.
“With Cedar Point opening up, this area is just
a high-traveled area,” she said.
Ohio’s large number of strip clubs, high
immigrant population and tourist attractions,
such as Cedar Point and Lake Erie, are all
desirable for those who operate human
trafficking rings”- Theresa Flores, HT victim

2. Why is Human Trafficking an
Important Issue for Teachers?
School teachersandsupportstaff workin direct
contact withthe age group,12-14, that ismost
likelytobe recruitedbyhumantraffickers.
Teachersand staff shouldbe aware of the signs
of humantraffickingtolowerthe occurrence of
perpetratorswhosolicitandgainaccessto
school-age children. Itistime tostop modern-
day slavery.
Extent of Human Trafficking:
“Human trafficking is an estimated multi-
billion a year international enterprise that
forces the most vulnerable populations into
the horrors of modern-day slavery.
Nationally, over 100,000 children are
thought to be involved in the sex trade. It is
one of the fastest growing criminal
enterprises worldwide and is on pace to
surpass the drug trade in less than five
years. Unlike drugs humans can be sold
more than one time and are a resource that
can be used over and over making them a
valuable product to make money.”
http://www.malone.edu/academics/social-wor k/human-trafficking-in-
ohio.pdf#original
https://www.desertsolace.com/
Recommendations:
MandatedContinuingEducationUnits
For Teachers
Recentlythe State of Ohioacknowledgedthe
prevelance of HumanTraffickingandmandated
licensedcosmetologistsandlawenforcement
officerstoone hourof CEU trainingonthe topic
of humantraffickingwithinthe renewal period.
Safe Harbour Lawsshouldinclude
Recommendations&OptionsforChange:
Teachersand supportstaff shouldbe mandated
to attendat least1 CEU in a renewal period.
The Problem with Current
Policy:
THERE IS NOCURRENT POLICY MANDATING
TEACHERS TO BE KNOWLEDGABLEABOUT
HUMAN TRAFFICKINGIN THE STATE OFOHIO
From the OhioAttorneyGeneral: “apreliminary
reporton the scope of the problem in Ohio
cited 13 years old as the most common age
in Ohio for youth to become victims of
child sex trafficking.Fromthe study'ssample
of 207 individuals,49percentwere under18
whentheywere firsttrafficked. Nationally,
over100,000 childrenare thoughttobe
involvedinthe sex trade”
http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-
Families/Victims/Human-Trafficking-Commission
According to the Attorney General’s
2014 Human Trafficking Annual
Report, the state [Ohio] rescued 181
victims and arrested 98 traffickers
out of a total of 85 investigations;
however, a quarter of the state’s
counties have no human trafficking
training in addition to limited trauma
therapy and treatment options for
victims.
Toledo, Ohio ranks fourth in the country for
sex trafficking.1
In additiontomandatedCEU forall teachers
and supportstaff a humantraffickingprotocol
shouldbe developed,implemented,andtaught
to all teachersandsupport staff.
1 As reported by http://www.ccv.org/issues/human-
trafficking/human-trafficking-of-ohio-minors/
Characteristics of
suspected human
trafficking incidents.
2007 U.S Bureau of
JusticeStatistics,
January2009
MYTH: a childmustbe kidnappedfromtheir
home to be trafficked
POSSIBLETRUTH: a childcanbe traffickedfrom
hisor her home bythe traffickersupplyingthe
childwitha cell phone,tellingthe childhe will
kill herfamilyif she tells,sellingherforsex
throughthe night,and makingsure she ishome
intime for school.