Jan. 27: RTA co-sponsors human trafficking awareness program

RTA and the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking are sponsoring the third annual human trafficking awareness program at Tower City’s from 3-4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27.

Jan. 27: RTA co-sponsors human trafficking awareness program

Jan 22, 2014

CLEVELAND --   The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking are sponsoring the third annual human trafficking awareness program from 3-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at Tower City’s Skylight Concourse.

The program, free and open to the public, will highlight the reality of the crime in Cleveland, as well as the cooperative efforts among law enforcement agencies, social service professionals, and RTA to address the issue in Northeast Ohio. These efforts include prosecuting the crime, protecting victims, and working toward prevention.

Program speakers

  • U.S. Attorney Steven M. Dettelbach
  • Ohio Department of Public Safety Director John Born
  •  Ohio Criminal Justice Services Executive Director Karhlton Moore
  • Ohio Anti-Trafficking Coordinator Liz Ranade-Janis
  • RTA General Manager Joseph Calabrese.
  • FBI Violent Crime Task Force
  • Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office

Participating resource groups

  • Social service providers
  • Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s Project STAR (Sex Trafficking Advocacy and Recovery) hotline for survivors of sex trafficking, 855-431-STAR (7827).
  • Bellefaire JCB Homeless and Missing Youth Program
  • International Services Center
  • Renee Jones Empowerment Center
  • Salvation Army
  • West Shore Allies Against Human Trafficking.
  • Ohio Attorney General’s Office

Winning entries of the Collaborative’s third annual Arts Challenge for local junior and senior high school students will be on display. 

After the program, the Resource Fair will move to the RTA Tower City Rapid Station to distribute information about human trafficking. 

Background

The annual program is held in January, as part of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.  In his proclamation regarding the month, President Obama renews the nation’s “commitment to ending this scourge in all its forms,” and calls “upon businesses, national and community organizations, faith-based groups, families, and all Americans to recognize the vital role we can play in ending all forms of slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.”

For more information on RTA's human trafficking education efforts, click here.

The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking seeks to educate and advocate for the prevention and abolition of human trafficking, while connecting services on behalf of trafficked persons. Its educational programs are available at no cost. Since 2007, the Collaborative has educated diverse audiences through more than 1,200 programs. To schedule a program or for further information:

Media Contacts

RTA

Collaborative