The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
OFFICIALS DISCUSS ABDUCTION, EXPLOITATION
Forum discusses responses to missing, abducted and exploited people
In 2013, the world was shocked by the story of the Cleveland kidnapping survivors, three women who were held against their will for about 10 years.
Five years later, they are free, but the problems of abductions and exploitation continue, said those who have worked to address the issues.
On Nov. 29, Gathering Hope House, a mental health services agency at 1173 N. Ridge Road East, hosted a forum to discuss responses to missing, abducted and exploited people.
The keynote speakers were Felix DeJesus and Nancy Ruiz, the parents of Gina DeJesus.
Gina DeJesus, along with Michelle Knight and Amanda Berry, were held captive in the Cleveland home of Ariel Castro.
“It’s a big problem and we have to get educated.”
— Felix DeJesus
“We have a major problem throughout the United States with the human trafficking,” Felix DeJesus said. “Not only about the missing kids, but the human trafficking here in the state of Ohio.”
Among the 50 states, Ohio ranked fourth in the nation for human trafficking, he said.
Ohio trails California, Texas and Florida, according to figures from the online forum of the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
“It’s a big problem and we have to get educated,” DeJesus said. “We have to educate ourselves, pass it on.”
The solution starts with similar forums and DeJesus encouraged the group to spread the information to their neighbors.
Education is key for law enforcement officers to fight the issue, he said.
Since Gina DeJesus returned home, the family has spoken to law enforcement and the media about the problem, DeJesus said.
“Now, it’s our turn to pay back what the community helped us out with,” he said.
The conversation lasted
more than an hour, with comments from DeJesus and Ruiz; Gathering Hope House Executive Director Betty J. Weaver and Recovery Specialist Shawn Cleveland, who served as moderator; Lorain City Councilman Angel Arroyo Jr.; Pastor Crucita Marrero of South Lorain; and Gloria Olivencia, director of the Haven Center shelter of Neighborhood Alliance; Lorain County Sheriff’s Lt. Josh Croston and Virginia Beckman, executive director of Genesis House domestic violence shelter.
Dealing with abduction and exploitation, “people don’t believe it until it happens to you,” said Arroyo, who described that as a lesson he learned from DeJesus and Ruiz. Among the advice:
• If someone goes missing, report it to law enforcement, Croston said.
Agencies enter the information to a law enforcement data system so it is available to officers in other jurisdictions.
If someone suspects a person is being exploited, they can call a law enforcement agency to report that as well, he said.
The Sheriff’s Office does not have a task force dedicated solely to missing people, but officers will investigate if there is suspicious
activity, Croston said.
• Children and school officials need to be educated on the threats of abduction and exploitation.
Church and youth groups also are good groups to reach to discuss the dangers.
• Parents should know that predators will target youths from single-parent homes or who run away frequently.
• Predators use social media and online gaming to lure children and teens.
They may frequent multiple churches looking to get involved with youth groups or looking for vulnerable children and teens.
Many predators look like normal people with no visible cues that they are exploiting others, Olivencia said.
Cleveland noted sex sells, which has created a sexualized culture in which people think something is entertainment when it is exploitation.
People who watch pornography or visit strip clubs participate in or fund human trafficking, he said.
“You think it’s just entertainment,” Cleveland said. “No, you’re actually helping destroy somebody’s soul. And you have to be very aware of that.”