Several sessions dealt with the myths and misinformation circulating about human trafficking.
The office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost hosted its second annual summit on human trafficking on Thursday. The virtual workshops covered a wide range of anti-trafficking work in Ohio, from resources for rural communities to specialized courts for juvenile trafficking survivors. Speakers included representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice, emergency medical providers, and survivors of sex trafficking.
Several sessions dealt with the myths and misinformation circulating about human trafficking, including viral social media hoaxes and outsized fears about abductions by strangers, which are rare.
“I think a lot of times people may think of “Taken,” or being snatched, or white vans, or being followed in the mall,” said Emily Billman, anti-human trafficking coordinator with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. “The reality of trafficking, it’s relationship building, i