More than 5,000 human trafficking cases -- most involving sex trafficked female victims -- were reported in the U.S. last year.
Ohio ranked fourth in human trafficking in the country, behind Florida, California and Texas, according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.
The problem is nationwide, but big-time sports events attract a concentration of opportunity for sex traffickers.
Today on All Sides, we hear about efforts to address the problem this weekend at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, and about the larger incidence of human trafficking.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please call 1-888-373-7888.
Guests:
- Brent LaLonde, Director of Communications, Arnold Sports Festival
- Samantha Flores, Director of Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution
- Harold D’Souza, Co-chair of U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking / Survivor Advocacy, Co-Founder of Eyes Open International