Human Trafficking: Franklin County's CATCH Court & Summit County’s Efforts to Combat the Problem

Each year millions of people are being trafficked - like a commodity – by people who are simply looking for power and profit.  Runaways and others are lured into the situation by the promise of love and acceptance and end up being forced into prostitution, threatened and beaten into submission.  What we have called prostitution for hundreds of years is very often a case of human trafficking, plain and simple.  It’s time we changed our perspective and addressed this issue in the Courts. 

One such endeavor is the Franklin County C.A.T.C.H Court presided over by Judge Paul Herbert.  CATCH stands for “Changing Actions To Change Habits”.  This specialty court seeks to treat prostitution defendants as victims, to determine where they come from and how they got there, and to help them out of the system.  Instead of continually cycling soliciting defendants through the system as criminals who break the law willingly, CATCH Court recognizes them as victims in need of help.  The savings to the community in law enforcement and medical expenses far outweighs the cost.  You will also learn about Summit County’s efforts to combat human trafficking and learn more about what you can do to help.

Agenda:
11:30-11:45    Registration

11:45-12:00    History of the Summit County Collaborative and What We Are Doing Today

12:00-2:00      Franklin County’s CATCH Court – Judge Paul Herbert

2:00-2:15        Break

2:15-2:45        Summit County’s Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking – Panel Discussion

Summit County Juvenile Court’s Restore Court – Jaime Blair
Enforcement Activities – FBI Agent Chuck Johnson        Expungement - University of Akron Legal Clinic – Joann Sahl & Akron Municipal Court - Judge Katarina Cook

Application is pending for 2.5 hours CLE. 

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Susan Baker Ross at (330) 375-2912 or sross@akronohio.gov. 

To register, please follow the instructions on the registration form. Deadline is October 9, 2015.