Category: Ohio

“I think it was six years I’m in and out of cars right here on these streets of Akron, Ohio until one night I ended up on a street and I remember screaming out to God, kill me or save me but don’t let me live like this,” Angel said. God didn’t leave Angel in that world. She was found her when she was drug addicted and hopeless and sitting in prison. But she’s not in that place anymore.

A study conducted by researchers at The University of Toledo shows that there is a link between social media and sex trafficking. The traffickers can easily go online and prey on vulnerable youth. Dr. Celia Williamson, UT professor of social work and director of the UT Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute state that it is crucial “educate parents, professionals, and youth—especially our middle school or teenage daughters who may be insecure—about the dangers of online predatory practices used by master manipulators.”

Sitting on stationary rowing machines, the exercise coaches at Orange­theory Fitness, a gym near Whole Foods Market in Akron, tried not to laugh as they started a serious 100,000-meter (about 52 miles) journey to support RAHAB Ministries, an Akron agency that supports female victims of sex trafficking.