Alliance Against Human Trafficking

10/12/2026

Episode 6: From Helplessness to Advocacy – Carolyn Kinkoph on Fighting Human Trafficking (Part 2)

On this episode of The Constant Advocate, hosts Jasmine Martirossian and co-host Ryan Cavanaugh, co-founding partner of Constant Legal Group, welcome back Carolyn Kinkoph, co-founder of the Alliance Against Human Trafficking.

In her first podcast episode, Carolyn shared the story of her daughter, Courtney, who was trafficked as an adult and lost her life at 29. In this conversation, Ryan, a longtime friend of Carolyn's, explores how she turned grief into a mission to end human trafficking.

Carolyn describes the moment she first realized Courtney was a trafficking victim and the diagnostic overshadowing that led medical providers to attribute Courtney's trauma to mental illness. She speaks candidly about the helplessness and anger of watching systems fail her daughter, and how she empowered herself through education, including conducting doctoral research on human trafficking at Cleveland State University.

Carolyn explains how the Alliance Against Human Trafficking, co-founded in 2020 with community activist Jenna Bing and forensic nurse Kathy Goellnitz, trains law enforcement, social workers, medical providers, and attorneys, supports demand reduction, and connects victims and families with direct service providers.

Carolyn also shares a resource she wishes she had known sooner: Ohio Revised Code 2907.29, which requires hospitals with emergency rooms to offer evidence collection.

Looking ahead, Carolyn makes the case for making the purchase of s*x a felony in Ohio and beyond, so buyers face real consequences. Her message to anyone who feels helpless – if something seems wrong, report it, and if one agency doesn't help, keep reaching out until someone does.

To report suspected human trafficking in Northeast Ohio, contact the Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force at 216-443-6085. In an emergency, call 911. To learn more about the Alliance Against Human Trafficking, email [email protected].

Podcast Episode · The Constant Advocate Podcast · Holding Institutions Accountable · October 8 · 37m · Video

10/12/2026

Carolyn Kinkoph, Co-Founder of the Alliance Against Human Trafficking - Part 1

Episode 4: A Mother's Story Dealing with Human Trafficking, Siloed Systems, and the Fight for Accountability with Carolyn Kinkoph

On this episode of The Constant Advocate, host Jasmine Martirossian speaks with Carolyn Kinkoph, a human trafficking survivor parent and co-founder of the Alliance Against Human Trafficking.

Carolyn shares the story of her daughter, Courtney, who was exploited as an adult over several years while living with mental illness and substance use challenges, and who lost her life at age 29.

Carolyn explains what human trafficking actually looks like, from s*x trafficking in exchange for a meal, a phone, or a place to stay, to labor trafficking in restaurants, construction, and private homes. She describes how traffickers often appear as friends, partners, or trusted visitors, and how one of Courtney's traffickers gained access to the entire family, even joining them for dinner.

The conversation reveals how the systems meant to protect Courtney often failed to connect. Carolyn recounts law enforcement agencies that didn't understand legal guardianship, medical providers who attributed Courtney's crisis to mental illness rather than trauma, and the absence of any facility able to treat medical, mental health, substance use, and trauma needs together.

Carolyn also celebrates those who made a difference, including a trucker trained by Truckers Against Trafficking, a police chief who changed his department's approach, and Renee Jones of the Renee Jones Empowerment Center, whose outreach meets survivors where they are.

Carolyn closes with a call to action requesting to reduce demand through stronger laws against buyers, hold complicit businesses accountable, and educate attorneys, judges, and juries so that survivors are believed.

To learn more, call Constant Legal Group at 855-906-2561 or visit constantlg.com.

Podcast Episode · The Constant Advocate Podcast · Holding Institutions Accountable · October 8 · 37m · Video

09/23/2026

People navigating a new job, moving to a new city, or joining new online communities may be vulnerable to traffickers who use manipulation, false promises, and manufactured trust to gain control.

Understanding how grooming works can help people of every age recognize recruitment tactics before exploitation occurs.

There are many myths and misconceptions about human trafficking. Debunk them at the link in our comments.

09/17/2026

09/17/2026

Human Trafficking isn't a single county problem: it affects us all. By working together, we can obtain a better Ohio.

09/16/2026

Let's tackle human trafficking together! Join us at the ECW Sacred Circles Forum on Human Trafficking. The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese of Ohio invite you to the launch of their first Sacred Circles Forum on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Grace Episcopal Church in Willoughby, Ohio from 10 a.m. to Noon. We will offer child care and light refreshments.

This first program in our series is on Human Trafficking and how to keep your family safe and is being planned by the ECW Anti-Human Trafficking Circle. The presenters are Carolyn Marie Kinkoph and Jenna Anderson Bing, co-founders of the Alliance Against Human Trafficking (AAHT) based in Lake County, Ohio.

Register today at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ecw-sacred-circles-forum-on-human-trafficking-tickets-1999854714285!

Let's tackle human trafficking together!

09/16/2026

Coercion is one of the most powerful tools traffickers use—and one of the least understood.

Join us on September 24 for “Beyond Physical Force: How Human Traffickers Use Coercion”, a free webinar led by Licensed Professional Counselor Hannah Counter.

You’ll learn the science behind coercion, tactics traffickers use to exploit trauma and vulnerability, and practical strategies you can apply in real-world scenarios.

You can't recognize what you don't understand. Register for free at the link in our comments.

09/14/2026

Join Alliance Against Human Trafficking THIS WEDNESDAY, September 16th at 1:00 pm in person or via Zoom to learn about community resources and connect with other professionals to share updated information!

We are excited to hear from the following presenters!

-Safe at Home and other Lake County, Ohio Recorder Services with Becky Lynch, Recorder Office - Ohio's Lake County and
Kelly Kolberg, MSW, Safe at Home Assistant, Office of the OHSecofState.

-Community Actions to Connect People and Resources with Dione DeMitro, President &
CEO, United Way of Lake County.

We are also glad to share that Tara Alston, Ohio Department of Transportation Anti-Human Trafficking Administrator/RWIS & Weather Forecasting Administrator, ODOT Office of Maintenance Operations/Division of Operations plans to bring Empowerment Through Employment flyers for those who attend.

09/05/2026

Congratulations Council of International Programs USA on your 70th Anniversary! It was an honor to present to your international social work professionals on Saturday, August 1 at the Case Western Reserve University Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. The Alliance Against Human Trafficking team is grateful for the work you do and including us in educational opportunities for global connections!