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Fishers symposium will fight human trafficking

Posted at 8:48 AM, Feb 28, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-28 08:48:57-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- Ascent 121, an Indianapolis-based non-profit organization, provides help for teenagers trying to escape human trafficking. 

"When we speak to people they often think of it as an international issue and not something that could happen right here in Indiana," said Megan McGuire of Ascent 121.

McGuire said 110 teen girls went through her program.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline saw 53 cases in Indiana in 2015. It jumped to 83 in 2016. But a recent report by former Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller points to at least 178 human trafficking cases in Indiana last year, meaning many are still underreported.

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"We see slight increase during big events but we do see this as an issue," McGuire said. "[We see it in] cities, suburban, rural areas and we see it all year round."

Nationwide, the same hotline reported more than 7,500 case in 2016, 2,000 more than in 2015. 

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Ascent 121 and A Better Tomorrow, another organization, are teaming up to fight human trafficking. They are 

To help fight it, the "Hope for Human Trafficking" symposium will feature games, music and fun, but it will also offer answers and advice on how to protect your child -- especially from lures of social media.

The symposium is on Saturday, March 4 at the Christ the Savior Lutheran Church in Fishers.