First to Graduate from Human Trafficking Docket: “Extremely proud and thrilled,” says Judge Marilyn B. Cassidy
(Cleveland) – After two years of operation, The Cleveland Municipal Court Human Trafficking Docket is staging its first graduation, which will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 17, 2016 at Massimo da Milano’s Restaurant, located at 430 West 25th Street in Cleveland.
Contact: Ed Ferenc, Public Information Officer
Cleveland Municipal Court
216 664 6787 / 216 789 2597
ference@cmcoh.org www.cmcoh.org
(Cleveland) – After two years of operation, The Cleveland Municipal Court Human Trafficking Docket is staging its first graduation, which will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 17, 2016 at Massimo da Milano’s Restaurant, located at 430 West 25th Street in Cleveland.
The first and only graduate is Amanda Britton, a survivor of date rape, drugs, homelessness and prostitution.
“I worked the street, lost my kids, suffered a nervous breakdown, got addicted to crack cocaine, which took over my life and put me in prison,” she said.
Finally after a 10 year downward spiral of events, four months of rehab and dealing with 100 different medications, she’s clean and sober.
“And I thank God for the Human Trafficking Docket, because Judge Cassidy saved my life. I pulled through and I’m better than I ever was,” said Amanda.
The two year program, under the direction of Judge Marilyn B. Cassidy is voluntary and involves judicial supervision and access to treatment and recovery support services designed to improve the lives of the participants and the welfare of the community.
“I am extremely proud and thrilled for Amanda and the four women who will get an honorable mention Thursday. They all worked extremely hard to get to this point,” said Judge Cassidy, emphasizing the importance of having a specialized docket, where possible victims are screened and referred to her treatment team which includes trauma counseling, recovery housing and help with possible substance abuse. Law enforcement is also involved to aid in tracking down the traffickers themselves.
At any given time, there are about 25-30 victims in the program and there are plenty of hurdles to jump over in order to be successful like Amanda. Many victims of human trafficking are young, suffer from a disability, they are dependent on drugs or all of the above. Seventy-five percent of human trafficking cases involve females with many just 12-13 years of age.
Judge Cassidy’s docket is the second of its type in the State of Ohio.