The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking to Host Statehouse Advocacy Day and More this January
(CLEVELAND) – December 19, 2024– In recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking is hosting the 2025 Human Trafficking Prevention Awareness Statehouse Advocacy Day on Wednesday, January 29th at 8:30 AM in the Statehouse Atrium, located on the first floor of the Ohio Statehouse alongside coalition partners and state elected officials. More than 200 community leaders, advocates and survivors from across the state are registered to attend. To RSVP, visit collabtoendht.org.
With a focus on prevention, the Collaborative and partners will share how Ohioans can become an active part of the solution through awareness, advocacy and action. Leaders and advocates scheduled to deliver remarks include:
Kara B. Wente, Director of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, Kelli Cary, State Anti-Trafficking Director, Office of Criminal Justice Services, Ohio Department of Public Safety and Linda Majeska Powers, Legal Director of the Ohio Human Trafficking Initiative, Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. State Representatives Richardson and Williams are also invited to speak, and Rep. Williams has confirmed.
Director Wente shared: “At the Department of Children and Youth, we believe every child deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive. By coming together this January, we’re sending a clear message: human trafficking has no place in our state, and we will continue to protect our most precious resource—our children and youth.”
Kelli Cary stated: “We are proud to participate in this Statehouse Advocacy Day, especially in light of Governor Mike DeWine’s historic $9 million investment in the last budget to combat human trafficking,” said Cary. “Not only is this funding being used toward additional local and statewide projects, it is also being used to expand the Governor’s Human Trafficking Task Force, which prioritizes a holistic approach to responding to human trafficking by identifying gaps in prevention, victim services, and prosecution.”
Linda Powers said: “This event helps send a powerful message to survivors in Ohio: we see you, we hear you, we believe you. Attorney General Yost and our Human Trafficking Initiative are proud to continue to support survivors and community advocates as we navigate the path together to healing and a life of freedom.”
Advocacy Day is a key element of the Collaborative’s effort to shine a powerful light on Human Trafficking throughout Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In addition to coordinating the Advocacy Day event, the Collaborative is engaged in several efforts to help raise awareness, including:
- Launching a new public awareness campaign created by Brokaw Inc. which focuses on the reality that anyone can be trafficked, and that everyone can help.
- Fundamentals of Human Trafficking training via Zoom on Wednesday, January 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday, January 21 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. To register, visit collabtoendht.org. These are FREE to the public.
- National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is observed on Saturday, January 11. In honor of this day, on Friday, January 10 and 11, participants are encouraged to wear blue and share photos on social media using the hashtag #WearBlueDay #HumansOverHumanTrafficking to raise awareness. Terminal Tower will be lit blue on Saturday as well.
The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking leads, connects and empowers the community to eradicate human trafficking. We provide leadership and expertise to foster a systemic, community-wide response. Our efforts include increasing public awareness, delivering tailored training, and facilitating multi-disciplinary collaboration. As the backbone organization of the Greater Cleveland Coordinated Response to Human Trafficking, which includes over 70 members, we offer strategic guidance and resources to combat human trafficking. For more information and to make a donation, please visit www.collabtoendht.org.
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Last modified: December 19, 2024