Governor Kasich Initiates Human Trafficking Task Force

March 29, 2012

Pro-Life John Kasich Assembles Organized Effort to Fight the Trafficking Crime

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Thursday, March 29, 2012

PHONE: (614) 547-0099 ext. 309

(COLUMBUS, OH) – Governor John Kasich signed an executive order today to create the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, an organized effort to battle the crime in the state. 

“It’s heartbreaking to learn of so many Ohio teenagers who fall victim to human trafficking and the sex slave business. Ohio must continue to prioritize the eradication of this plague. We thank Governor Kasich for his continued compassionate leadership for the most vulnerable in our society,” said Mike Gonidakis, President of Ohio Right to Life. “Governor Kasich’s executive order ensures that our government works seamlessly to root out the problem, ensuring that our children are protected and that victims will receive treatment.”

Governor Kasich has made human trafficking a top priority throughout his time in office, bringing it to the spotlight in his State of the State speech earlier this year. 

“It’s hard for me to even think about this,” said Governor John Kasich in his speech this February. “My girls (twin daughters, Emma and Reese) are 12. Could you imagine somebody snatching your daughter and somebody forcing them into prostitution at 13 and 14 years of age?”

Governor Kasich declared a “war on the slave-trade business” in February, and carried through on his promise today. 

“I can’t think of a greater evil than what we know of this human slave trade business,” said Governor Kasich today. “Can you think of anything that we should push harder for than the abolition of the slave trade business on our teenagers in our state?”

Ohio Right to Life is grateful to Governor Kasich for defending the defenseless and continuously standing for the right to life in Ohio.

Click on the image above to view a public service announcement from Governor Kasich and Theresa Flores, a human trafficking survivor. 

To view a video from the event, click here.