Human Trafficking Awareness Events Promote Education, Empowerment

The Renee Jones Empowerment Center (RJEC) - a Cleveland-based non-profit organization offering support services to victims of sex trafficking - will present at two awareness events this week. End Quote

Cleveland-Lorain-Elyria, OH (1888PressRelease) February 01, 2017 - The 8th Annual Ohio Human Trafficking Awareness Day and the 1st Annual Ohio Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Summit will take place on Thursday, February 2nd and Friday, February 3rd at The Ohio Statehouse Atrium in Columbus.

Event host, State Representative Teresa Fedor, along with Renee Jones and other statewide advocates will gather on February 2nd to shed light on the dark truth of Ohio's human trafficking problem and give renewed call to end this modern-day slavery. Professional panels will focus on policy, law enforcement, and social work topics with a portion of the afternoon reserved for survivors to share their experiences.

"The willingness to talk openly about this difficult problem is a vital step forward," said RJEC founder, Renee Jones. "That's why these events are so important. Human trafficking exists in the shadows; that's why we have to shine a light."

The February 3rd youth summit - in its first year - will bring together high school and college students from across Ohio for the opportunity to share stories and discuss issues of prevention and vulnerability. Special youth summit guests include: Quynterra Eskridge, poet and human trafficking survivor; Gretchen Miller, registered board certified art therapist and TLC advanced certified trauma practitioner; Professor Maureen Guirguis of Case Western Reserve University, presenting information on human trafficking law services; and performer, Archie Green.

Interested students and their chaperones are encouraged to register.

"People are surprised to learn that Ohio is one of the worst regions in the U.S. for sex trafficking," explains Jones. "Outreach and awareness events like this help communities recognize the problem, teach vulnerable youth how to protect themselves and help victims have the courage to break free."

According to the Ohio Attorney General, more than 1,000 Ohio children are estimated to be trafficked every year and over 3,000 Ohio youth are at risk of becoming victims.

For event questions, please contact Jen Stack at 614-644-6017 or Jen.Stack ( @ ) Ohiohouse dot gov dot

To seek help for a victim of human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text INFO or HELP to BeFree (233733).

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