Buckeye Reporter

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost led the sixth annual Human Trafficking Summit in Columbus, focusing on supporting survivors and launching new training for first responders. The event, held at the Hyatt Regency, brought together hundreds of advocates, first responders, and community leaders to address human trafficking challenges in Ohio.

“After hosting this event for six years, one thing is clear: The fight against human trafficking is constantly evolving — and so are we,” Yost said. “Every year, we uncover new patterns, new frontlines, and new ways to support survivors. We remain committed to adjusting and adapting our response until trafficking has no place to hide.”

The summit featured 28 workshops with 54 presenters. Three outgoing survivor ambassadors—Annette Mango, Harold D'Souza, and Stephanie Rollins—were recognized for four years of service advancing education and advocacy through the ambassador program within the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Commission.

“This is the heart and soul of what we do,” Yost said to the group. “Our ambassador program has not only been a projection of this work into the community, but this deepening of advocacy has changed us and the way we operate, what our priorities are, and what our understanding of the work is.”

A key development announced at the summit was a new training scenario for health-care workers addressing how substance use disorder can intersect with human trafficking. The video was produced in collaboration with MetroHealth of Cleveland and focuses on harm-reduction outreach. It shows a case involving a young woman brought by her boyfriend to a hospital mobile unit with signs suggesting both drug use and possible trafficking.

An accompanying Facilitator's Guide aims to help trainers discuss how health care providers can recognize potential victims of trafficking in medical settings.

“Not all trafficking victims walk through the door asking for help,” said Yost. “Sometimes they show up just wanting medical care, and we want Ohio health-care staff to know what to look for.”

Dr. Alexis Kennedy delivered a keynote presentation on compassion fatigue among those who assist trafficking victims. She emphasized that hearing traumatic stories from survivors affects advocates’ physical well-being.

“The stories we hear — sitting with someone telling dark stories and the worst moments of their lives — really impacts us and our bodies in ways you wouldn't think,” Dr. Kennedy said.

A full agenda from the summit as well as workshop details are available online.