Over the last several years there has been a shift in how law enforcement and social service agencies view those involved in prostitution 鈥� a shift from considering sex trafficked individuals as criminals to instead seeing them as victims in need of help.
In 2014 a new program, , was created in the system to provide a path for victims of sex trafficking to escape the streets and re-claim their lives. CHANGE stands for "Changing Habits And setting New Goals is Empowering."
Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Heather Russell presides over CHANGE Court. She joins "Cincinnati Edition," along with Officer Katie Warner and Specialist Nate Young with the , who came up with the idea for CHANGE Court.
Tune in to "Cincinnati Edition" May 17 starting at 1 p.m. to hear this segment.