Governor Ted Strickland on Tuesday, January 6, signed into law new legislation that slaps tough penalties on individuals who force women and children into prostitution or sex trafficking rings.

The proposal, which was approved by the Ohio General Assembly in mid-December,  makes it a first degree felony to force others into prostitution and to peddle them around as sex slaves. State senator Theresa Fedor, who spearheaded the legislation,  says more than half of all the victims are children.

“The average age of children entering into prostitution is between the age of 10 and 14 years of age. These victims are trapped and they suffer horrific lives in which they are repeatedly raped, beaten, starved, chained or locked up, and psychologically tortured,” Fedor said during the bill’s debate on the Senate floor.  “This amendment will specifically address commercial sex acts and provide prosecutors with the tools necessary to increase penalties and issue mandatory prison sentences toward those who engage in the corrupt activity of sex trafficking. “

In 2006, Toledo, Ohio (which Sen. Fedor represents)  received state and national attention after federal authorities raided a sex trade operation.  In the previous year, Toledo was identified as a hub for teenage prostitution.  In that same year, federal authorities broke up a prostitution ring in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. At least 77 of the women were from the Toledo and among them 38 were minors.

In the US, it is estimated that between 100,000 to 300,000 children are at risk of being trafficked and exploited sexually.  Worldwide human trafficking is the third most profitable criminal enterprise, generating an estimated $36 billion each year.

Prior to Sub. HB 230, Ohio did not have a have legislation in place to prohibit human trafficking.  Conversely, the federal government and 39 states have enacted laws against human trafficking to protect victims from being forced into this modern day form of slavery.

Additional information about the new Ohio statute is available in this Toledo Blade article.