Ohio takes action against human trafficking

Farah Siddiqi

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, spotlighting efforts to combat the crime.

Human trafficking, the world's second-largest illicit trade, exploits people for sex or labor through force, fraud or coercion. In 2024, Ohio advanced its fight against trafficking by launching its first statewide hotline, 844-END-OHHT for reporting cases. The state also conducted 45 training sessions, created resources for individuals with disabilities and supported legislation to help survivors.

Lindsey Mattson, director of industry engagement for the group TAT, formerly known as Truckers Against Trafficking, emphasized the importance of training transportation and energy workers, who are often in positions to identify and disrupt trafficking activities.

"We can mobilize millions of people to move from passive bystanders to active disrupters," Mattson pointed out. "That is really our goal is to train as many people as possible throughout all transportation industries to truly have an impact on fighting this crime."

Ohio's efforts also include the passage of Senate Bill 214, which enhances opportunities for survivors to rebuild their lives, and collaborating with law enforcement, advocacy organizations and communities to tackle the issue effectively.

Mattson emphasized energy workers are crucial eyes and ears on the ground, as they frequent the same gas stations and hotels as traffickers, and workers themselves are often targeted because they're stationed in one place.

"They look for concentrations of men housed away from home with purchasing power," Mattson observed. "For the energy industry, something like a work camp or project location. "

TAT has trained nearly 2 million professionals nationwide, including 50,000 energy workers in 43 companies. In Ohio, ongoing efforts focus on training and collaboration to identify and report trafficking while supporting survivors.