Rep. Adam Miller introduces legislation to combat human trafficking, prostitution in Ohio
State Rep. Adam C. Miller (D-Columbus) today introduced legislation to establish a new grant program to help local courts better handle human trafficking and prostitution cases in Ohio. The million-dollar grant program would fund two important efforts aimed at cracking down and preventing human trafficking and prostitution.
“For too long we tried to combat human trafficking by increasing fees and penalties, and it hasn’t worked. The programs this grant seeks to support are innovative because they go to the fundamental root cause of sexual abuse,” said Rep. Miller. “Columbus and other communities are coming up with innovative programs like CATCH courts and Johns Schools that educate and work to prevent human trafficking and prostitution. Prevention and education are key and these grants will help expand these programs throughout Ohio.”
The grant program, administered by the Attorney General’s office, would fund Changing Actions to Change Habits (CATCH) courts and Johns Schools throughout Ohio. These programs are aimed at helping individuals break free from the vicious cycle of drugs and abuse, and to educate individuals on the horrific impact prostitution has on all parties involved.
A CATCH Court is a human trafficking specialized docket. The docket with the Franklin County Municipal Court includes an integrated approach to meet the treatment, health, and behavioral needs of defendants who have been charged in the with prostitution, solicitation, loitering to solicit, or other offenses if the defendant has a history of being a victim of human trafficking. CATCH is a non-adversarial rather than an exclusively punitive approach. Only three other counties, Summit, Cuyahoga, and Hamilton, have similar programs.
John Schools are specialized educational programs that can include therapeutic treatment for prostitute clients who have been arrested. The goal of John Schools are to present options for sanctioning and educating offenders in order to prevent recidivism. Educational programs also include awareness of the devastating impact prostitution can have on the victims, the clients, and the community. John School graduates can also serve as amplifiers to prevent others from engaging in prostitution and human trafficking. Johns Schools in Ohio are located in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo.
The bill was introduced today and now awaits committee assignment.