HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS

April 2013
WHEREAS. human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons (TIP), is a
modern-day form of slavery. There are approximately twenty-seven
million victims of trafficking world-wide, with 80% female victims and
50% children. There is no one consistent face of a trafficking victim.
Human trafficking is a market-based economy estimated at $34 billion
that exists on principles of supply and demand.
WHEREAS. human trafficking is a crime under federal and international law and is
also a crime in the majority of U.S. states. This crime is often
underreported due to its covert nature, various misconceptions about
its definition, and a lack of awareness about its indicators on the local
level.
WHEREAS. human traffickers typically prey on runaways and at-risk youth. Any
person under age 18 who performs a commercial sex act is considered
a victim of human trafficking, regardless of whether force, fraud, or
coercion was used. It is estimated at least 200,000 American children
and youth are at risk of being victims of human trafficking. In Ohio,
more than 2,000 school-age children are potentially at risk. In Ohio,
the average age of a trafficked child is 13.
WHEREAS. Toledo, Ohio ranks 4th nationally for arrests and investigations related
to minor sex trafficking. The State of Ohio is vulnerable for human
trafficking due to an extensive highway system that allows travel out of
the state within two hours and within a day's drive to major trafficking
hubs. Ohio has the most truck stops in the nation.
WHEREAS. Ohio House Bill 262, also known as the Safe Harbor Law. recognizes
the seriousness of human trafficking by creating new procedures for a
diversion program for juvenile trafficking victims; allowing records of
adult human trafficking victims to be expunged; elevating a human
trafficking charge to a first degree felony with a mandatory prison term
of at least ten years in prison; requiring convicted human traffickers to
register as sex offenders, and mandating training for police officers in
how to spot human trafficking victims. The Ohio Attorney General's
office is working with state departments and local social service
agencies to develop programs to identifY and assist youths who are at
risk or have been victims of trafficking.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED. that Ohio PTA will partner with other statewide
organizations, who wish to heighten community awareness of this
horrendous human exploitation. And be it further
RESOLVED,
that Ohio PTA through its units and councils encourage local
school districts to adopt human trafficking poliCies and/or strengthen
current sexual harassment poliCies and programs to include human
trafficking awareness. And be it ~!-lli:her
RESOLVED,
that Ohio PTA leadership will communicate with its membership
as appropriate for future opportunities to engage in the local or state
level advocacy process towards future relevant legislation opportunities.