CLEVELAND, Ohio — There’s a coordinated response to fight human trafficking during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, coming to Cleveland in July.
“We are on the front lines of fighting human trafficking,” explains Executive Director of Ohio Hotel and Lodging Association, Joe Savarise.
“What you’ve seen in the past few years is increased awareness and education of a problem that’s existed a long time.”
The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking is leading more than fifty organizations, agencies and businesses in a coordinated response to the issue.
According to the organization, it seems “whenever there are more people gathering in one locale, there will be a greater opportunity for human trafficking.”
It’s similar to an effort that happened in response to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland back in 2016.
“We are all for stopping this,” explains Aloft Cleveland Downtown General Manager, Bill Reed.
“I’m a father of two small children, I’m a brother, an uncle, a friend and the more I hear about it, the more I’m disgusted by it.”
Those who are on the front lines are receiving training on the signs of human trafficking as well as how to respond.
If you or someone you know needs help call the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s Project Star 24 hour hotline at 855.431.STAR (7827.)