Ohio’s Bold Move to Eradicate Human Trafficking
Breaking the Chains
As shepherds of our communities, we are often the first to see the brokenness of the world. But there are some evils so dark they seem to hide in the very shadows of our steeples. Human trafficking, the modern-day scourge of slavery, is not a distant problem in far-off lands; rather, it is a crisis happening right here in the Buckeye State.
Today, however, there is a new sense of resolve. Ohio is moving beyond mere awareness and toward a strategic, unified effort to end this exploitation once and for all.
The Stark Reality in Our Backyard
Ohio consistently ranks among the states with the highest number of reported human trafficking cases in the nation. In our state, over 30,000 children are involved in substantiated cases of abuse or neglect annually, with thousands of those cases linked directly to sexual exploitation.
As William Wilberforce, the great Christian abolitionist, once famously said: “You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.”
A New Season of Accountability
In a historic display of legislative will, the Ohio House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 47 (HB47), the Human Trafficking Prevention Act. This legislation acknowledges the gravity of the evil by:
Increasing mandatory minimums: Raising the prison term for convicted traffickers from 10–15 years to a minimum of 15 years.
Protecting the most vulnerable: Increasing sentences to 25 years to life for those who exploit children or individuals with developmental disabilities.
Closing legal loopholes: Updating statutes of limitations to ensure survivors of student sexual abuse have the time they need to seek justice.
Governor Mike DeWine and the Department of Children and Youth Services have doubled down on this effort, launching new initiatives in early 2026 that embed specialized caseworkers within children’s services agencies in Cuyahoga, Hamilton, and Montgomery counties. This pilot program is designed to “identify more children who are being trafficked and help them recover from their trauma.”
Faith-Based Organizations and Businesses Are Leading the Charge
While legislation provides the framework for justice, it is often faith-based organizations that provide the “hands and feet” of restoration. Across Ohio, believers are creating tangible spaces of hope for those escaping the shackles of exploitation.
RAHAB Ministries: Based in Northeast Ohio, RAHAB (Rituals and Activities for Healing and Believing) offers safe houses, drop-in centers, and street outreach, introducing survivors to the restorative love of God.
She Has A Name (SHAN): Operating out of Columbus, this non-profit focuses on “grace and grit” providing community education and academic scholarships to help survivors thrive in their “narrative of restoration.”
Gracehaven: An affiliate of Central Ohio Youth for Christ, Gracehaven provides comprehensive care specifically for domestic minor sex trafficking victims, including residential care and community-based case management.
The Salvation Army: As a primary victim services provider in Central Ohio, they manage a 24-hour hotline and The Well, a drop-in center for women trafficked in the sex industry.
The Daughter Project: Located in Northwest Ohio, this organization provides a holistic, home-like recovery environment for girls who have been freed from traffickers.
Restoration One Cup at a Time: Sometimes, the fight against evil is as close as the building next door. Our neighbors at Restoration Roastery are a living example of how a business can serve a spiritual mission. They believe restoration is a “tangible reality freely given through a relationship with Jesus Christ.” By partnering with organizations that provide support to women exiting human trafficking, they use coffee as a “vehicle” for life transformation. Every purchase at their shop helps fund programs, job training, and fundraising events specifically designed to restore and empower women who have been rescued from enslavement.
As you lead your congregation, consider how your church might partner with these local beacons of hope. Whether through financial support, volunteerism, or simply choosing where you buy your morning coffee, every action contributes to the breaking of chains in our state.
