June 2024 Update on Ohio's Anti-Trafficking Efforts

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June 2024 Human Trafficking Update

A brief overview of current news and updates on Ohio's anti-trafficking movement


news

The Ohio Domestic Violence Network granted 32 member programs with funding from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Office of Criminal Justice Services and the Governor's Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, to improve services for human trafficking survivors.

A bill to expand expungement opportunities for survivors of human trafficking, Senate Bill 214, passed through the Ohio House and is now headed to the Governor's desk. 

The Chester Township Police and the Geauga County sheriff's department conducted a raid and investigation at a local massage parlor. 

An Akron doctor was arrested by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force. 

A North Carolina man is in custody and faces charges related to the trafficking of a 14 year-old girl from Warren County, Ohio. 

An Ohio woman was sentenced to 28 years in prison after pleading guilty to several charges, including trafficking in persons for a 2021 case. 

The Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Coalition is now accepting proposals for the 2024 Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Conference: Better Together, Justice for All. 


tools & technical assistance

Human Trafficking Awareness Videos for School Teachers and Staff
The Governor's Human Trafficking Task Force has training videos available on human trafficking, sexual abuse, and child abuse for school teachers and staff. 

The 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Needs More Support Systems and Inclusive Policies to Reduce Vulnerabilities to Trafficking
Polaris published a blog post on The 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Needs More Support Systems and Inclusive Policies to Reduce Vulnerabilities to Trafficking

Prostitution and Violence against Women and Girls
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls, Reem Alsaslem, released a report titled Prostitution and Violence against Women and Girls


meetings & events

Child Sex Trafficking and 911 Telecommunicators:  Recognize and Rescue
July 11, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., virtual
The National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College will host a webinar titled Child Sex Trafficking and 911 Telecommunicators:  Recognize and Rescue.

Increasing Access to Transformative Justice in Exploitative Structures: A Webinar Series
July 16, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., virtual
Freedom Network USA will host part one of their Increasing Access to Transformative Justice in Exploitative Structures webinar series titled Anti-Blackness Across Diasporas; The Historical Context of Anti-Blackness and Human Trafficking

Empowering Victims & Victim Service Providers: Navigating Media Pressure and Safeguarding Privacy
July 17, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., virtual
The Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center will host a webinar on Empowering Victims & Victim Service Providers: Navigating Media Pressure and Safeguarding Privacy.

Human Trafficking Interdiction/OperationsJuly 17 - 18, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Cleveland State University,CSU|LAW Moot Court Room, 1801 Euclid Ave., LB 101, Cleveland, OH 44115The Human Trafficking Training Center will host a training on Human Trafficking Interdiction/Operations.

The Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation 
Aug. 5, 6, 7, & 8, Hyatt Regency Washington on Capital Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20001
Registration for the 2024 Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation Global Summit is now open. 

Ohio Attorney General's 2024 Human Trafficking Summit
Aug. 7, 8 a.m.- 4:15 p.m., Hyatt Regency Columbus, 350 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43215
The Ohio Attorney General's Office will host the 2024 Human Trafficking Summit.  

International Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference
Sept. 18-20, virtual
Registration is now open for the University of Toledo International Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference

National Labor Trafficking Conference
Oct. 16 & 17, virtual
Registration is now open for the 2024 National Labor Trafficking Conference