Human trafficking is not just in big cities

MEDINA – Human trafficking – forcing or coercing people, often children or teens, into slave labor or the commercial sex trade – happens in Medina County. The victims are the emotionally vulnerable, the isolated and lonely, the naïve and unaware. The recruiting ground is the internet. "Human trafficking happens everywhere," said Megan Millikin, assistant superintendent of the Medina County Juvenile Detention Center. "It's not just in the big cities, it's not just in suburban areas, it's not just in rural areas. "And people should be aware of the dangers of leaving your kids just go wherever they want on the internet and not having any parameters." Millikin spoke Saturday as part of a panel discussion during "It Happens Here Too: Everyone Can Be a First Responder Against Human Trafficking," a five-hour conference at the Medina High School Performing Arts Center. About 100 people attended. Also on the panel were David Frattare, director of investigations and statewide commander for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; Caroline Moore, former member of the Salvation Army's human trafficking law enforcement task force; and Kate Sass, assistant director of the Medina County branch of the Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center. The panel's moderator was Beth Ewing, co-chair of the Medina County Coalition Against Human Trafficking, which organized Saturday's event. The coalition is part of The Children's Center of Medina County. The panelists said that a key to stopping or at least controlling human trafficking is education. The organizations they represent are continually reaching out to schools and training teachers, counselors, parents and students on how to spot signs of human trafficking recruitment. "It's a conversation that needs to happen between parents and grandparents and their children every single day," Frattare said. "We are constantly telling parents, 'I don't care if your kid is 16, 17 or 10, you need to go through their (electronic) device, you need to talk to them and set rules.'" Moore said high schoolers don't understand the concept of human trafficking because they are preoccupied with romantic relationships, popularity and acceptance. A human trafficker might entice them with gifts and friendship. "That is the scariest thing to me – individuals exploiting others' vulnerabilities," Moore said. Ewing said human traffickers exploit the insecurities of young people. They use other young victims to recruit new members into a human trafficking ring. "If you have kids and they are secure and outgoing, talk to them about going up to that kid who is isolated, or who maybe doesn't have as many friends, because those are the ones who are vulnerable," Ewing said. Sass relayed advice she has received over the years from several sources, starting with her parents, regarding people or situations that might sound alarm bells. "Always go with your gut," Sass said. "If something doesn't seem right, call someone." Saturday's program also included opening remarks by Rhonda Wurgler, executive director of The Children's Center of Medina County, and an overview of human trafficking by Sophia Papadimos, who manages the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force. In addition, Moore talked about CATCH Court, a diversion program for victims of human trafficking that started in Columbus and has since spread to other cities in five U.S. states. The acronym stands for Changing Actions to Change Habits. Finally, after lunch, Moore moderated a panel discussion featuring human trafficking survivors. Contact reporter Bob Sandrick at (330)721-4060 or areanews@medina-gazette.com.