Unchained OSU

Who We Are

We are a group of Ohio State University students who are dedicating to fighting human trafficking and helping those who have been affected by it. We recognize that this crime is occuring all around us and often goes unnoticed or ignored. We believe in the importance of education – and we use it as a means to spread awareness, prevent trafficking, and assist survivors in their work moving past their trauma and towards a better life. 

What Is Unchained OSU?

Unchained OSU is a student organization at The Ohio State University dedicated to fighting human trafficking. Unchained OSU began in 2016 based on the 501c3 nonprofit organization called UNCHAINED, which is now based in Knoxville, TN (find out more about the original UNCHAINED here). As a student branch, we have expanded on the idea of the nonprofit to include our biweekly meetings and our own fashion show and events. The main goal of both the 501c3 and our student organization is to utilize artistic expression to advocate for the victims of human trafficking. Human trafficking is a hard and heavy topic, and too often we fail to find the words to describe it. When words fail us, we can still communicate through art. Through our annual fashion show, we raise awareness and empower healing and holistic restoration by telling the story of a survivor of human trafficking. We use fashion to tell the story of a survivor of human trafficking and engage audiences in new ways as they learn about human trafficking, what it is, and what they can do to fight it. Explore this website to find out more about what we do.

Don’t know much about human trafficking? Don’t worry, we are here to help you learn! Here are some good places to start:

• Here are two websites that describe the very basics of human trafficking

• https://humantraffickinghotline.org/what-human-trafficking

• https://www.antislavery.org/slavery-today/human-trafficking/

• Watch the two videos below about the basics of what human trafficking is and the warning signs

• Explore the resources on our Resources page

• Attend a local anti-human trafficking training

• Attend a speaker event featuring a survivor of human trafficking

What We Do

Meetings

Volunteering

Fashion Show

Calendar

What We Do

Awareness, Accountability, Action

Unchained OSU’s human trafficking prevention efforts include education through our biweekly meetings and our signature awareness events, Overcomer Night and Rose Night. Through the fashion show we hope that people will leave more knowledgable about what human trafficking is, what grooming is, and signs and red flags to watch for.

Unchained OSU supports those in our community who are currently experiencing trafficking, addiction, homelessness, and abuse through our volunteering efforts during the academic year. Our members volunteer as a group at various nonprofit organizations around Columbus.

Unchained OSU aims to help survivors of human trafficking in their work leaving the lifestyle and following their dreams. We are able to do this through the fundraising aspect of our fashion show, where all donations go towards the Strategies For Success Scholarship fund. This scholarship is awarded to survivors who are improving their lives by pursuing their educational goals. 

Where

Columbus, Ohio

Home Sweet Home

Lazenby Hall

Location of our general body meetings

Ohio Union

Keith B. Key Center for Student Leadership and Service at The Ohio State University

How Can I Get Involved?

Students

We would love for you to join us in the fight against human trafficking! For Ohio State University students, take a look at our calendar for dates of upcoming meetings and events and come see what it’s all about. You can also visit us at our table at the Autumn and Spring Involvement Fairs to hear more about our organization and meet some of our members. You can subscribe to our email list for news and updates about upcoming activities. Feel free to email us at unchainedosu@gmail.com with any questions about getting involved.

Sponsorships and Collaborations

Want to sponsor our event or collaborate with us? Let us know at unchainedosu@gmail.com!