Nearly 250 advocates, survivors, and community leaders gathered on Wednesday, January 29th at the Ohio Statehouse for the 2025 Human Trafficking Prevention Awareness Statehouse Advocacy Day, the first event of its kind hosted by the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking. The event, held during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, was a powerful demonstration of Ohio’s commitment to combating trafficking through prevention, advocacy, and action.
Kirsti Mouncey, President & CEO of the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking opened the day focused on the power of prevention to end the public health crisis facing our state:
“It is important to recognize the dedication this work demands,” said Mouncey. “No one individual or organization can do it alone. While the journey is challenging, Ohio’s anti human trafficking community has consistently shown steadfast commitment and today’s gathering was a perfect example of the power of collective action.”
Keynote speakers included Kara B. Wente, Director of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, and Kelli Cary, State Anti-Trafficking Director at the Office of Criminal Justice Services. They were joined by Mary Kate Waggoner, Anti-Human Trafficking Victim Advocate at the Ohio Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Initiative; along with State Representatives Josh Williams and Tracy M. Richardson.
Director Wente emphasized the importance of collective action:
“At the Department of Children and Youth, we believe every child deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive. By coming together today, 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 highlighted the impact of state investments:
“Governor Mike DeWine’s $9 million allocation in the previous budget is a historic milestone in Ohio’s fight against human trafficking. This funding allows us to expand prevention efforts, enhance victim services, and strengthen prosecution capabilities across the state.”
The day began with a breakfast program in the Statehouse Atrium, followed by legislative meetings where participants shared the work their organizations are doing to combat human trafficking, personal stories and the need for additional funding in the upcoming state budget. Discussions centered on:
- The importance of prevention as a first line of defense against human trafficking.
- A request to increase funding for the Direct Services Grant Fund from $4.6 million annually to $6 million annually to ensure critical services for survivors remain sustainable amid reductions in federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding.
- Recognition of recent achievements, such as Senate Bill 214, which expanded criminal record expungement pathways for trafficking survivors.
This Advocacy Day is part of a broader effort by the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking located in Cleveland to raise awareness and mobilize the community. Additional initiatives this month included launching the Humans Over Human Trafficking public awareness campaign, free educational webinars , and a call to action on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
For more information on how you can help combat human trafficking or to donate, visit www.collabtoendht.org.
Last modified: January 30, 2025