COLUMBUS, Ohio — Wednesday at the fifth annual Human Trafficking Summit in downtown Columbus, Attorney General Dave Yost announced the first-ever statewide human trafficking hotline. The hotline is geared towards putting an end to sex and labor trafficking in Ohio.
"The more we know, the more we can do to help,” Yost said. “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 "funnel incoming tips on suspected sex and labor trafficking directly to law enforcement."
Yost said the hotline will go live to the public later in 2024.
As reflected by the range of professions that were present, the summit focused on the vital role that a continuum of care — an integrated system of services and resources — plays in helping survivors achieve long-term healing on what Yost often calls the Highway to Hope.
The keynote speaker at this year’s summit, Marti MacGibbon, is a survivor of human trafficking. Her case involved international sex trafficking. She spoke Wednesday about 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 AG Yost's Human Trafficking Initiative, the 2024 summit included 26 unique workshops with 55 presenters.
To view Attorney General Yost’s opening remarks in full, click here.
WATCH MORE
