Bill to help trafficking survivors expunge criminal records introduced to Ohio governor

Lina Portman1 week ago

0 1 minute read

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVG) – A bill aimed at helping survivors of human trafficking rebuild their lives is on its way to the governor's desk.

Lawmakers say many traffickers force their victims to commit crimes unrelated to sexual activity, such as shoplifting, drug dealing or trespassing. If they do not, they could face the threat of violence from their trafficker.

When survivors try to rebuild their lives, they face obstacles in obtaining housing, employment or certain social services, due to their criminal record.

The proposed law would allow victims to expunge many of those records. The current law allows them to expunge some criminal records, but it is limited to a small list of crimes.

“I found myself in front of a judge trying to get records expunged, and because it was not one of a small number of statutes currently covered, victims of human trafficking were denied the opportunity to have their records sealed,” said Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township).

The legislation also applies to victims of labor trafficking.

It was adopted almost unanimously on Wednesday. Governor DeWine will need to sign for this to become law.

Learn more about human trafficking and the resources available to victims in Northwest Ohio in the big story below.

Recent data shows that the number of victims of human trafficking worldwide has more than quadrupled, from around 30,000 in 2008 to nearly 120,000 in 2019.

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