Human Trafficking is Topic of Kent Meeting on Monday

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde of Kent and State Rep. Teresa Fedor of Toledo are hosting a "Human Trafficking Awareness Town Hall Meeting" at 6 p.m Monday at the .

Clyde said that although it's "an uncomfortable topic, human trafficking is a real problem in our world, nation, state, and even in our community."

This illegal trade is one that involves the act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring or receiving a person through a use of force, coercion or other means, for the purpose of exploiting them.

Gov. John Kasich specifically highlighted the childhood prostitution problem in his State of the State address earlier this month, and called on the legislature to act.

Fedor has been working on this issue for years, as Ohio’s laws are some of the weakest in the country. In an effort to foster awareness and education about trafficking, Clyde is pairing with Fedor to discuss legislation, warning signs and advances being made to eliminate this practice’s presence in Ohio.

Clyde hosts monthly town hall meetings at different locations across Portage County for residents to learn about and discuss state legislative issues. All are welcome to attend the free public event.