Cleveland Browns: Hue Jackson Foundation will save lives

Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson and his wife Michelle launched the Hue Jackson Foundation, an organization dedicated to combating human trafficking.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine stood at a lecturn where Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson goes to work almost every day and talked about combating human trafficking.

He thanked Hue and Michelle Jackson for the Bat Signal-type light the couple will cast on the heinous crime with their new organization, the Hue Jackson Jackson Foundation.

"“Lives will be saved,” DeWine said. “It matters,” via ESPN.com."

The public may wonder why human trafficking has become such a glaring problem.

Per the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, Ohio does rank among the highest in the nation. But only recently has society is become more aware about about putting a stop to this crime.

For those unfamiliar with what human trafficking is, ClevelandBrowns.com writer Patrick Maks described it on ClevelandBrowns.com.

"Human trafficking is defined as a modern-day slavery involving the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act, according to the Department of Homeland Security."

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center estimates there are only 100 beds nationally to offer victims.The Hue Jackson organization’s first initiative is to make a difference in this department, which so badly needs help.

In partnership with the Salvation Army, Jackson and Michelle will establish a residence that would give adult female victims a place to heal from their experiences. The home will afford these women time to heal, while helping them prepare for the rest of their lives.

The center will also include space for law enforcement, and social service professionals, from organizations such as the Renee Jones Empowerment Center.

There’s no location bias when it comes to human trafficking. Big cities, suburbs, the country–it can happen anywhere.

During a powerful video presentation in which victims spoke of their experiences, a hotel in North Olmsted, Ohio (suburb of Cleveland) was the stage for the crime. A clerk at the hotel had a “hair stand up” on their neck because they saw strange interactions between the victim and the trafficker.

This person called the police.

Detective John Morgan, a man DeWine called a “true superstar” in the efforts to combat human trafficking, was thankful. He said law enforcement will never get mad for being called to check something out.

So, how can you recognize human trafficking?

Morgan stressed sitting down at the dining room table and taking the time to ask some questions, because you can learn a lot over dinner. At home, do you notice a change in your daughter’s personality? Does she have new jewelry that she probably can’t afford. Does she have a new smartphone that she’d rather flush down the toilet than let you see?

Out in public, be alert for a person exhibit controlling behavior over another. Additionally, does this person speak English? What’s their physical healthy like? Are they avoiding eye contract? Are they aloud to speak for themselves? Do they carry personal documents?

These are just a few things to look for. The Polaris Project listed more signs to be aware of and can be viewed here.

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The foundation’s website is now live, ring it up at www.huejackson.org. Follow on Twitter @HueJacksonFDN or on Facebook.