A Data Perspective of Ohio’s Response to Human Trafficking
As a result of evolving state laws, media focus, community and state led awareness efforts and academic research, the crime of human trafficking in Ohio is becoming a well-recognized reality. In response local, state, and federal resources allocated to address human trafficking in Ohio have grown exponentially in the effort to increase awareness and knowledge on the topic, and ultimately identify, rescue, and restore victims of the crime. Although cases of human trafficking continue to come to light in Ohio and the state resources evolve in response, national-level human trafficking statistics and the research supporting the need to address the issue have recently come under scrutiny. Toward that end, state and local research to better estimate and identify the impact of human trafficking are needed now more than ever.
This presentation will provide an update on human trafficking data available at the state and local level including how data are gathered from different sources and disseminated to best inform policy. Research highlights will include results from the 2015 human trafficking awareness campaign assessment, data available from the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, and an overview of a new statewide data collection initiative.
Kristina Nicholson is a Social Science Research Specialist at the state’s Statistical Analysis Center within the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services. She has collaborated on numerous human trafficking research initiatives including a review of Ohio John Schools, human trafficking awareness campaign assessments, a summary of statewide human trafficking data sources and most recently a statewide data collection effort with the Ohio Network of Anti-Human Trafficking Coalitions.
