Jesse A. Schroeder

I've seen a lot of resources in the past few days that relate to sex trafficking, especially in the United States and even in Columbus, and so I thought I'd share some of them here.

• A very personal and detailed description of exploring the brothels and strip clubs of San Francisco by Mark Scadrette
• The latest issue of 614 magazine (local Columbus info) has a great article entitled "Breaking the Chains." Some quotes:

The trafficking, control, and sale of people for sex is happening right here; as you read these words, women within a few miles of you are trapped. Women are owned: controlled by drugs, violence, and fear.

The National Center for Exploited and Missing Children estimates 100,000 - 300,000 kids are on the streets right now, hungry and exhausted abuse victims, making them perfect prey for traffickers. The chance of a runaway child being approached by a sex trafficker within three days is nearly 100 percent, according to the NCEMC.

Globally, human trafficking is the third largest criminal industry in the world, behind drugs and firearms, but trafficking is the fastest growing industry and will, unless fought, rise to the number one criminal industry in the world.

But slaves have been found in every state in America, and we Ohioans have many elements that make us susceptible to the industry. One main reason is Toledo. Five major freeways join there, linking the East to the West. Police officers and FBI agents have named Toledo as a major hub for forced sex labor and child prostitution in America

All around Columbus, a vibrant new network of people is fighting slavery here and abroad. The fighters include lawyers, social workers, politicians, students - people from all walks of life, united by one purpose: ending human trafficking.

• Next week, David Batstone, a pioneer in the anti-human-trafficking endeavor, will be speaking at Ohio State University. More info here. You can also see David talk about his book Not for Sale at a Google event here

I am really excited that a magazine like 614 made this a front cover issue, and it's also awesome to read a statement like that above: There are people in Columbus who are about this issue and are mobilizing. I wish I could say I was more involved, that I knew what to do. All I know right now is that I care about this cause, and I hope to continue to get involved.