Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. | www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. | www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the launch of the first-ever statewide human trafficking hotline during his opening remarks at the office’s fifth annual Human Trafficking Summit in Columbus.
“It’s simple: the more we know, the more we can do to help,” Yost stated. “We need to keep pushing these efforts forward so that, every day, those who buy sex or compel another’s labor know that we’re coming for them.”
The hotline number – 844-END-OHHT (844-363-6448) – will direct incoming tips on suspected sex and labor trafficking directly to law enforcement. It is scheduled to go live later in 2024.
Attorney General Yost introduced the phone number to over 700 attendees at Wednesday’s summit, emphasizing their crucial role in its success.
“You give me hope,” Yost told the group at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. “There is strength in numbers and you are not alone. And that means our survivors and our future survivors are also not alone.”
The summit gathered a diverse group of stakeholders including survivors, social workers, healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, lawyers, prosecutors, judges, and other community members dedicated to ending sex and labor trafficking in Ohio.
Reflecting this diversity, the summit focused on the importance of a continuum of care — an integrated system of services and resources — in aiding survivors' long-term healing on what AG Yost often refers to as the Highway to Hope.
Since taking office in 2019, Yost has prioritized combating human trafficking. In May, his office launched a “Human Trafficking 101” guide for local communities. Additionally, legislation supported by Yost and his Ambassador Advisory Council was signed into law in July; it allows trafficking survivors to clear certain offenses from their criminal records to improve access to jobs, housing, and other essential resources.
Marti MacGibbon, a survivor of international sex trafficking and keynote speaker at this year’s summit, discussed post-traumatic growth and trauma resolution.
“Courage combined with love is unstoppable,” MacGibbon said. “When we have the courage to confront evil and we walk alongside those who have experienced evil, the power of that work is deep and unlimited.”
Organized by the AG’s Human Trafficking Initiative, the 2024 summit featured 26 workshops with 55 presenters.
For full remarks from Attorney General Yost's opening speech [click here].
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly May: 614-813-7419
Alerts Sign-up