A Community Responds to Human Trafficking: The Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition

Abstract

In the spring of 2007, Health and Human Services’ national Rescue and Restore Campaign to end human trafficking selected Columbus, Ohio as a potential site for a local Rescue and Restore Coalition. The Campaign was kicked off at the Ohio Statehouse in July 2007 with the support of dozens of local stakeholders. After the kickoff, the real work of developing a community response to human trafficking was begun.

This workshop will discuss how the Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition grew from a loose collection of interested parties to a growing coalition of over 45 stakeholders, providers and concerned citizens all working to achieve a common mission: To end Human Trafficking through public awareness, services to trafficked persons, advocacy, and resources and training support to law enforcement.

The presenters will outline the process of growing a coalition, including recruitment of key stakeholders, identifying the mission, setting goals and objectives and engaging members. The structure, initiatives and accomplishments of the Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition and the role of The Salvation Army as Coalition Manager will be shared.

Michelle Hannan, MSW, LISW-S and Tiana Brown, MSW
Organization: The Salvation Army in Central Ohio
Location: Columbus, OH
Title of Presentation: A Community Responds to Human Trafficking: The Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition