About Us
The Need
Human trafficking is happening right now in Ohio communities.
Ohio consistently ranks among the worst states in the nation for human trafficking. No community within our borders, urban, suburban, or rural, is immune.
4th
Ohio's rate of 3.84 trafficking victims per 100,000 residents is the fourth worst ratio in the nation.
1,800+
In 2024 the Women of Alabaster day centers in Hamilton and Cincinnati recorded over 1,800 visits from women living on the street.
32
Of those women, 32 chose to enter treatment and detox in 2024. Each one needed a safe place to go first.
Who is at risk
Sex trafficking involves force, fraud, or coercion to make someone participate in commercial sexual exploitation. Most traffickers know their victims well. They build trust, fill a need, find a vulnerability, and then exploit it. Common risk factors include substance use, mental health concerns, a history of abuse or foster care, running away, and homelessness.
Recognizing the signs
- Fearful, anxious, submissive, or paranoid behavior, especially around law enforcement
- Signs of physical abuse, malnourishment, or untreated medical needs
- Few personal possessions; not in control of her own money, phone, or ID
- Not allowed to speak for herself; a third party insists on being present
- Unsure of where she is staying or what city she is in; inconsistent story
If you suspect trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. In Ohio you can also call 844-END-OHHT. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Where 4thaOne fits
Outreach ministries spend months, sometimes years, earning a woman's trust. When she finally decides to leave, she needs somewhere safe to go that same day. That is the gap 4thaOne exists to fill: a secure safe house for the first 24–72 hours, immediate placement into detox and treatment, and a relationship that lasts all the way to independent living. We do this through a network of partners.