What is the link between social media, human trafficking [Video]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As Human Trafficking Awareness Month continues, local organizations are working tirelessly to educate the public and protect vulnerable youth.

One of those groups is Gracehaven. The Columbus-based trafficking prevention organization is one of a few organizations in Ohio that provides housing for youth trafficking survivors. On Friday, the organization hosted a training session focused on the exploitation.

The training emphasized that seemingly innocuous online interactions, such as direct messages, can be the first step in the exploitation of children online.

“The reality is strangers have access to kids all day every day through the internet,” stated Hannah Swift, Gracehaven’s community outreach and training director. “The vast majority of kids we work with have experienced some form of grooming or exploitation online, which often becomes a significant part of their trafficking …