Human Trafficking is the force, fraud, or coercion of another person for the purpose of labor and/or sex. Victims of human trafficking have to navigate a world of trauma. They are forced into slavery and are used for sexual exploitation. Many victims do not have a choice. They are abused not only physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. We are proposing a change in the current definition of human trafficking within the state of Ohio. Supporting these updates to the Ohio Revised Code 2905.32 will help many victims not have to face prison time due to being trafficked. Currently in Ohio, “Human Trafficking Laws – Under Ohio law, Trafficking in Persons is a first-degree felony with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison.” (Human Trafficking Task Force, 2020). Changing the definition of human trafficking will give survivors a chance to work through their trauma instead of being put in jail for something they did not do.

Bill Summary:

Current Ohio Revised Code 2905.32 states, “The offender knows that the other
person will be subjected to involuntary servitude or be compelled to engage in sexual activity for hire, engage in a performance that is obscene, sexually oriented, or nudity oriented, or be a model or participant in the production of material that is obscene, sexually oriented, or nudity oriented.”

Updated Ohio Revised Code 2905.32 would state, “2905.32 -- CHANGE A(1) from
compelled to engage in sexual activity for hire to deprive or violate the personal liberty of another with the intent to obtain forced labor or services CHANGE 2a from compelled to engage in sexual activity for hire to deprived or violated the personal liberty of another with the intent to obtain forced labor or services CHANGE C from engaged in sexual activity with any person, or solicited sexual activity with any person, whether or not for hire to deprived or violated the personal liberty of another with the intent to obtain forced labor or services.

ADD: 2907.32 (G) see 2953.38 OR California Code, Penal Code - PEN § 236.14

Human Trafficking Task Force, Human Trafficking Information for Ohio’s Law Enforcement Officers, 11 Mar. 2020, https://humantrafficking.ohio.gov/links/HumanTraffickingLEPinchcard.pdf

 
Human Trafficking Task Force, Overview of State and Federal Human Trafficking Laws, 11 Mar. 2020, https://humantrafficking.ohio.gov/links/Overview_of_State_and_Federal_HT_Laws10_18.pdf