Ohioans can no longer pretend human trafficking is not a plague affecting our state as it does the entire country. But too many are still reluctant to “get involved” when they see something that raises suspicions.

On Wednesday, during the fifth annual Human Trafficking Summit in Columbus, state Attorney General Dave Yost announced a new tool for those looking for a way to fight the problem. A statewide hotline — 844-END-OHHT (844-363-6448) — will send incoming tips on suspected sex and labor trafficking directly to law enforcement when it goes live later this year.

“It’s simple: the more we know, the more we can do to help,” Yost said.

Survivors, social workers, health-care professionals, law enforcement officers, lawyers, prosecutors, judges and other community stakeholders who are committed to ending sex and labor trafficking in the Buckeye State were in attendance for the announcement.

“You give me hope,” Yost told that crowd. “There is strength in numbers and you are not alone. And that means our survivors and our future survivors are also not alone.”

But the rest of us are part of that number, too. The new hotline is another weapon for us to wield in the fight.

Almost everyone can think of an instance in which a gut feeling told us something wasn’t right, a person was in need of help.

But for many who were raised to keep our heads down, mind our own business, live and let live, it is hard to shake the habit even when our gut tells us WE are the help.

A new hotline will let us pass along those gut feelings to those who can do more, but being part of the solution won’t start until we pick up the phone.