A July 25th Toledo Blade Article focused on Rep. Teresa Fedor’s (D-Toledo) recently introduced Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Bill, seeking protection for sex trafficking victims under the law.  The article also quoted Second Chance founder and University of Toledo Researcher and Professor Dr. Celia Williamson, who noted that Ohio currently has little protection to offer victims that trump or counter traffickers’ promises. 

State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) today introduced legislation to protect children who are the victims of human trafficking. The "Safe Harbor for Exploited Children" act – House Bill 262 – will provide a "safe harbor" for minor victims of human trafficking.  The Bill requires that a minor be given appropriate services and prevents a child victim from being charged with solicitation.

The University of Toledo and Second Chance have announced their 8th annual Prostitution & Human Sex Trafficking Conference, which will take place on Thursday, September 29 and Friday, September 30.  The conference aims to bring together researchers and practitioners in an effort to lay the groundwork for future collaborative research, advocacy, and program development and to educate social service, health care, and criminal justice professionals on human trafficking and the needs and risks of those victimized by the commercial sex industry.

Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) today recognized Human Trafficking Awareness Day at the Ohio Statehouse.

In honor of the National Human Trafficking Day, Second Chance extends its gratitude to the tireless work of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to combat human trafficking and provide services and support to victims.

With a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Second Chance plans to hire 6 additional staff members, create a center where runaway and homeless teenage girls victimized by prostitution and human trafficking can drop-in, and create a street outreach program that will provide food, personal care items, and condoms to homeless youth. The shelter for teenage girls is expected to open in January in central Toledo and will consist of an eight-bed shelter that will recommend services and mental health counseling for victims and survivors.

The 7th Annual International Human Trafficking, Prostitution, and Sex Work Conference took place October 7th and 8th at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. With over 400 attendees from Canada, Papua New Guinea, and across the United States and presenters from Nigeria, India, and around the United States, this year’s conference was a great success.

The 7th Annual International Conference on Human Trafficking, Prostitution and Sex Work is planned for October 7th and 8th at the University of Toledo Student Union. The Conference Committee is currently applying for Continuing Education Credits and finalizing presenters.

You can register at:

http://secondchancetoledo.org/conference/registration

Second Chance was chosen by Art Corner Toledo for an artistic project to raise awareness of human trafficking. Art Corner Toledo hopes to connect artists with organizations in a grassroots movement to garner community support. Second Chance will be working with artist Tina G. Gionis.

Second Chance is pleased to announce the recent grant award of $20,000 from the Toledo Community Foundation. The grant money will be used to maintain current staff members.

The FBI conducted the third Operation Cross Country sting to recover victims and traffickers. Although none of the identified victims were from Toledo at least one trafficker and seventeen others from Toledo were arrested.