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Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute

Contact Us

Celia Williamson, Ph.D.
Director, Human Trafficking and
Social Justice Institute
The University of Toledo
celia.williamson@utoledo.edu
Health & Human Services Building
Room HH 2638
2801 West Bancroft St./MS 119
Toledo, Ohio 43606
Phone: 419.530.5590
Fax: 419.530.4141
HTSJInstitute@utoledo.edu

Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute

Contact Us

Celia Williamson, Ph.D.
Director, Human Trafficking and
Social Justice Institute
The University of Toledo
celia.williamson@utoledo.edu
Health & Human Services Building
Room HH 2638
2801 West Bancroft St./MS 119
Toledo, Ohio 43606
Phone: 419.530.5590
Fax: 419.530.4141
HTSJInstitute@utoledo.edu

FOCUS on Runaways Project

Runaway Youth are the most at risk for Human Trafficking

Toledo has one of the highest numbers of runaway youth in the state. The highest risk factor for sex trafficking is to be a runaway youth. Within two weeks of running away, they will be introduced to a trafficker. Runaway and homeless youth are also 2.5 times more likely to use drugs which a trafficker can use as a tool to manipulate the youth.

FOCUS stands for:
F: Finding Youth
O: Outreach
C: Comprehensive Assessment & Immediate Services
U: Unified Long Term Services
S: Service Evaluation

The FOCUS on Runaways Project specializes in the recovery of and response to many youth at high risk for sex trafficking through the collaboration between the University of Toledo’s Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute, law enforcement, and multiple other service providers.

Contact:
Amy LaGesse, M.A.
Amy.Lagesse@utoledo.edu
419.466.2636

Key Stakeholders:

Dean's Office
Room HH 3302
Toledo, OH 43606
CHHSdean@utoledo.edu
Undergraduate Admission
enroll@utoledo.edu
419.530.8888 (call)
419.329.4567 (text)
2801 W. Bancroft Street
Toledo, OH 43606
Graduate Admission
graduateonlineapplication@utoledo.edu
419.530.GRAD (4723), Option 1
Stranahan Hall, Room 1048
2801 W. Bancroft, MS 933
Toledo, OH 43606
Last Updated: 6/30/25