(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today released the Ohio Attorney General’s Office Human Trafficking Report, which outlines efforts of the Ohio Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Commission in 2014 to strengthen protections for victims, create stiffer penalties for traffickers, and educate Ohioans on human trafficking and what can be done to stop it.
“Over the past year we have worked to assist victims of human trafficking and to craft and pass legislation providing better protections to minor-age victims and stronger penalties for those who traffic children,” said Attorney General DeWine. “Nothing is more important than protecting Ohio’s children and families from harm, and the criminals who enslave and abuse vulnerable Ohioans must be and will be held accountable.”
In 2014, the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Commission continued its work on a wide range of projects aimed at helping to put an end to human trafficking in Ohio. In addition to working to pass the End Demand Act, which was signed into law in June, the commission also facilitated the sharing of information related to human trafficking investigations between law enforcement jurisdictions and focused on developing tools and guidelines for educators and community members to engage youth on the issue of human trafficking.
The commission also continued its work toward the reduction of demand for forced labor and compelled commercial sexual activity in Ohio and worked to increase 24-hour emergency response coverage in the state.
The report also includes statistics submitted by local law enforcement agencies regarding human trafficking investigations statewide. The statistics reveal that more law enforcement officers are conducting human trafficking investigations and identifying more potential traffickers and trafficking victims in Ohio than ever recorded in the past.
According to the report, law enforcement agencies across the state conducted at least 85 human trafficking investigations which led to 98 arrests. Law enforcement also reported the identification of 181 potential human trafficking victims, 113 suspected traffickers, and 68 suspected buyers/johns.
In addition, the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, which is part of the Ohio Attorney General's Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, reported the rescue of 17 potential victims and the referral of 67 potential victims to social services.
A total of 4,975 Ohio peace officers took part in and completed human trafficking training provided by the Attorney General’s Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in 2014.
The entire Ohio Attorney General’s Office 2014 Human Trafficking Report can be found here.
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