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While many people don’t think human trafficking happens in their communities, the issue is prevalent across the state of Ohio. 

Educating the public and college students about human trafficking in the greater Dayton region is the focus of a special town hall on Monday, March 24, at �۶�app.  

The event, “#4 In the Nation: Confronting Human Trafficking in Ohio,” is sponsored by Cedarville’s Title IX office and student International Justice Mission (IJM) chapter in partnership with , a ministry in Dayton that creates safe spaces for survivors and raises awareness about human trafficking. 

The forum begins at 6:30 p.m. in room 104 of Cedarville’s Center for Biblical and Theological Studies building. 

“The purpose of the event is to expose students to the alarming picture of human trafficking around them and equip them to respond and help people who have been marginalized or oppressed,” said Shannon Berkheiser, Title IX coordinator at �۶�app. 

The panel will include detectives from the Miami Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, representatives from local service providers, and a survivor who will share her story. 

This is the third consecutive year Cedarville has partnered with Dear Dinah for this event. It is also the second year the Cedarville chapter of IJM has helped plan the event. 

Josie Cartolano, a junior criminal justice major from Dublin, Ohio, serves as the student president for the IJM chapter, which has conducted outreach projects to serve Dear Dinah. 

Cartolano’s heart was directed toward victims of human trafficking after hearing a podcast about a survivor who was adopted. 

“It was moving and made me cry — and I don’t usually cry,” she said. “I prayed for the passion to stay in my heart, and it did.” 

After graduation, Cartolano plans to combat human trafficking through law enforcement and hopes to serve on a task force. 

This is the second panel discussion on the prevention of human trafficking hosted by Cedarville this year. In January, Cedarville’s health care programs in nursing, pharmacy, allied health, exercise science and sport medicine held a panel discussion focused on identifying human trafficking signs in health care settings and clinics. 

�۶�app, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio’s largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.