It’s hard to believe that human trafficking is taking place right here in Eastern Ohio.

With a few exceptions, we all seem to feel pretty comfortable in our daily comings and goings. Yet we frequent the same types of businesses that, in an unfamiliar location, might give us the creeps. They have big parking lots filled with vehicles that could easily block the view of something sinister taking place. And there are plenty of places where local residents mingle with all sorts of people who are traveling through from outside our region and out of state.

Because these local places are familiar to us, we may let our guard down. That can be risky.

But according to JaQue Galloway of Tri-County Help Center, those settings may not be the only places where we should be alert for the signs of human trafficking. In fact, she told Belmont County commissioners last week that most instances of trafficking happen within families or involve someone else who the victim trusts.

“Traffickers really rely on grooming and making their victims trust them and feel reliant on them, and then they exploit that trust,” she said.

Victims can include people who are struggling with basic needs or addiction, and they often are coerced via online extorsion, exploitation and blackmail. Galloway said teenagers are especially vulnerable, but victims can be people of any age. She said two people were convicted in local trafficking cases over the past year and 13 local victms were identified.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, some of the signs to watch for include:

∫ A person who does not possess their own identification, money/credit cards or travel documents.

∫ A person who is being told not to speak or being coached on what to say.

∫ Someone who lacks knowledge of their means of travel or final destination.

∫ A person who appears to be under threat or who is showing signs of distress.

∫ A suspicious vehicle parked in an unusual location dropping off and picking up multiple individuals.

If you encounter a situation where you suspect human trafficking, the administration says you should not confront the victim or suspect. Instead, call 911 if someone appears to be in immediate danger. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is 888-373-7888.