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National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness, January 11, 2008

In recognition of the United States’ commitment to eradicate modern-day slavery, Congress passed a resolution in June 2007 making January 11 the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. This annual observance contributes to the ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the issue of human trafficking and highlights the work of the anti-trafficking movement.

The National Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking campaign and Local Rescue & Restore coalitions across the country are planning events, and you are invited to participate. OCPA is a member of the Columbus and Cincinnati Rescue & Restore coalitions, two of twenty such local coalitions around the country. The local coalitions are part of the National Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Columbus Coalition will be hosting a special meeting on January 11 in observance of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. In addition to normal business, the Coalition will host special speakers on the issue of human trafficking, including an overview of the recent RAND Coalition report, “Human Trafficking in Ohio.” All OCPA members are welcome to attend, though you are asked to RSVP. For more information and to register, contact Tiana Brown at 614-358-2613.

The Cincinnati Rescue & Restore Coalition is hosting a two-day event with space and planning support provided by the Freedom Center, a coalition member. At the event, experts will present training sessions on the definition of human trafficking, service provision, how to identify victims, and law enforcement involvement. Anti-trafficking groups from across Ohio are expected to attend the event. For more information, contact Jessica Donohue-Dioh at the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati at 513-361-2146.

For additional information about human trafficking and the National Rescue and Restore Coalition, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/