Ohio is taking proactive steps in the fight against human trafficking by appointing Kelli Cary. The state is making a significant effort to combat this heinous crime, and Kelli Cary’s appointment is a testament to Ohio’s commitment.
As the new director of the anti-trafficking task force, Cary brings with them extensive experience in providing support and services to victims. They have a deep understanding of the healing journey that survivors must undertake, and are ready to use their expertise to combat trafficking and assist those affected by it.
“I’m excited to be in this position so that I can best serve survivors and also systems of care. I’ve worked directly with survivors over the years in clinical and advocacy settings. And I think that experience not only working directly with survivors, but also nonprofits and supervising programs, we get to hear directly from survivors themselves that have this lived experience on what the gaps are and how we can make progress in supporting their healing journey.” Kelli Cary | State of Ohio Anti-Trafficking Director
According to her, Governor Mike Dewine’s recent $9 million investment to the task force has led to significant progress in responding to the issue, and she believes that the state of Ohio is doing an excellent job in this regard.
“The $9 million investment from Governor DeWine’s administration can be used for prevention, as well as supporting survivors, supporting victims, service agencies and prosecution. So, we are trying to tackle human trafficking from that multidisciplinary approach. And a lot of the funding is going directly into the victim service agencies to provide critical resources to survivors.” Kelli Cary | State of Ohio Anti-Trafficking Director
Many people believe that human trafficking involves strangers kidnapping individuals. However, this is a common misconception.
According to Cary, human trafficking occurs within the confines of relationships, with many traffickers having established a trusted rapport with their victims. As Cary puts it, “the truth is that human trafficking takes place in the context of relationships.”
In her statement, Cary expresses her intention to enhance the collaboration between the anti-trafficking task force and other agencies across the state. She aims to foster stronger relationships that will help combat human trafficking more effectively.
According to her, bringing about change requires the collaboration of law enforcement, government agencies, victim services, and community members. This collective effort is crucial in supporting the victim’s journey towards healing and in preventing further incidents of human trafficking.