TOLEDO, Ohio — A bill working its way through the Ohio Statehouse is trying to help victims of human trafficking receive justice.
State Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania), co-sponsor of Ohio House Bill 385, says trafficking survivors can often be charged with lesser felonies or misdemeanors. But if they can prove they were victims of trafficking, he hopes the bill can help them find a direct path to expunge their records.
It's a bill, and a topic, that has received support from both sides of the political aisle.
"It's always refreshing to see bills that you can introduce and get through the committee process that are bipartisan in nature, that can get bipartisan support from both sides where political ideologies don't come into play," Williams said.
The Ohio House will eventually vote on HB 385. If it passes, it will then go to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk for signing.
"We want Ohio to be a beacon of hope for those individuals that you can come back to Ohio — if you're already here, you can stay in Ohio — (and) you can get your record expunged," Williams said.
But why would someone being trafficked get charged with a crime?
Oftentimes, someone being trafficked will be forced into drug use or distribution, prostitution and other illegal acts.
In a 2021 report, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified more than 3,000 cases of trafficking in Ohio since 2007.
Not only is the bill getting support in Columbus, but also in Toledo from Butterflies 15, a recovery support organization for women who have experienced trauma such as human trafficking.
"Our ultimate goal is to give them the tools that they need to go ahead and be that thriver, and not go back," said Tina Robinson, founder of Butterflies 15.
Robinson is a survivor of trafficking herself and says the bill will help those with criminal records get a fresh start.
"Some of these charges that were put on them are holding them back from being able to get something as simple as housing," she said. "How are they able to grow and move in their life? If they are able to get them expunged, they are able to move forward."