More than 100 trafficking victims, including dozens of missing children, have been freed during a large-scale rescue operation by Ohio law enforcement agencies. That has been announced by the public prosecutor of the American state.
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In the operation, which was called ‘Autumn hope’, a total of 109 people were freed, including 76 missing children. After the liberation operation they were received by the local social authorities. Autumn hope also led to as many as 179 arrests, of which 22 – including one pastor – are charged with seeking sex with a minor. “These vultures have shamelessly targeted the most innocent and most defenseless members of our community,” said Dallas Baldwin, Franklin County sheriff. “This operation sends out a loud and clear message: we are watching you, we will catch you and we will protect our children.”
It is estimated that there are currently 400,000 people in the US imprisoned in some form of modern slavery, ranging from forced labor to sex work, according to the nonprofit Walk Free Foundation. “And the corona pandemic is fueling fears of yet another increase in human smuggling.”
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