It Happens Here

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Human trafficking and exploitation are often set in motion in the digital realm and increasingly, those murky scenarios are taking shape here.  

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Mid East Rescue and Restore Coalition Director Janet Long announced an upcoming event at the Muskingum County Center for Seniors that invites the public to learn how human trafficking is happening here and details they need to be aware of in determining how to spot it.

“So we will be having ‘It Happens Here’ and it’s our fourth annual, which we’re really excited about,” Long said. “And that is on Thursday, January 22nd, starting at 5 0’clock. Our guest speakers are Christi Bartman, she’s with Eyes Up Appalachia. She is looking to develop… She’s our stats girl. And then our main guest speaker is Christina Conrad. She is with the FBI, Exploited and Missing Children’s division. So we’re really excited to have her.”

Victim advocacy agencies and organizations along with members of state, county and city law enforcement will be on hand to answer the wide array of questions and concerns that coincide with the topics being addressed. Transitions Executive Director Katie Oberhauser explained how her organization is already in the ring supporting area victims. 

“Transitions houses a lot of human trafficking victims, who may not have somewhere safe to go,” Oberhauser said. “So having an awareness event truly helps people understand how to identify human trafficking victims, so they can call Transitions to receive support. Within the last two or three years, we’ve really started entering that human trafficking world. A lot of learning curves for sure because the way that you would support a victim of human trafficking is vastly different than a victim of domestic violence.” 

The ‘It Happens Here’ event will take place 5 p.m. this Thursday, at 160 North Fourth Street in Zanesville.