Ohio AG recognizes Tusc Against Trafficking for successes
COLUMBUS (WTUZ) (Aug. 13. 2024) – A local coalition is getting to serve as an example for others in the state when it comes to combating human trafficking. At his recent 5th annual Human Trafficking Summit in Columbus, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost recognized Tusc Against Trafficking for its work in preventing labor and sex trafficking crimes without the big-city funds and connections.
“Frequently in more rural communities it’s more difficult to raise the resources, more difficult to raise awareness, more difficult to get people to focus on the issue,” Yost said.
Yost pointed out how the group is a collaboration involving multiple agencies, New Philadelphia and Uhrichsville police, and others.
“The county government, including the juvenile court, the health department, even the public library. Other partners include Union Hospital, the FBI, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. That’s what I call strength in numbers and networking builds strength in numbers,” he said.
Compass Director Molly McMath says she was part of a panel discussion at the summit with Noah’s Hope Director Mandy Willett and Claymont Schools Counselor Susan Monticelli to explain what they are doing to protect those vulnerable to trafficking.
“We want to meet the needs of our community better than a trafficker can and so, if that means making sure that families have personal hygiene items or hot meals that’s what we’re going to do so that they know they can turn to a safe place for help, and what better way to build those relationships and build the community, and make this a safer place,” McMath said.
McMath says their local efforts in preventing trafficking include school presentations and a community outreach night held at Park Place Youth Center in New Philadelphia.
Willett talked about once listening to a survivor whose red flags went unnoticed by others.
“The system kind of failed her of things that we want to strive to not happen. Those kind of seminars are very important to me because I want to learn and get knowledge to make sure that I am doing everything that I can working with my program partners that they don’t have the experience that they felt left out or let down during the process,” Willett said.
Willett also stressed the importance of parents knowing what their children are doing online and having safety conversations early on since traffickers are not the stereotype of a man in a van.