Rep. Fedor says she will continue her efforts to improve Ohio’s letter grade
COLUMBUS- Thursday afternoon, Shared Hope International, a leading organization in the fight against human trafficking and modern-day slavery, released its 2013 “Protected Innocence Challenge” state ratings on human trafficking laws and set a national standard of protection against minor sex trafficking. The report grades states’ laws on reducing demand, punishing human traffickers and protecting young victims of human trafficking.
The State of Ohio received a 72.5 out of 100 total points and was critiqued under Ohio’s current law. Shared Hope’s findings noted that, “Ohio’s trafficking in persons law does not distinguish between sex trafficking of an adult or a child and requires the use of force, fraud or coercion in any case.”
“Despite Ohio’s efforts to combat human trafficking I’m disappointed to see that out of twenty-nine states with an improved letter grade, Ohio wasn’t one of them,” said Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo). “Sex trafficking is a serious violation of human rights and I will continue to advocate and encourage the passage of additional efforts to improve and strengthen Ohio’s laws.”
As a champion and voice for victims of human trafficking across the state of Ohio, Rep. Fedor has introduced House Bill 130 this year to address further trafficking issues. Sub H.B. 130, also known as the “End Demand Act”, was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives in June and contains several provisions which include harsher penalties for the solicitation of minors. Currently, H.B. 130 awaits a hearing in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
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