Task Force elects new co-chairs

OKATIE, SC (April 21, 2021) – The Lowcountry Human Trafficking Task Force has new leadership after the election of two new co-chairs during today’s quarterly meeting.

JoJo Woodward and Michelle Fraser will lead the task force, one of nine regional task forces under the state’s task force purview. The South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force is headed up by the S.C. Attorney General’s Office.

The Lowcountry Human Trafficking Task Force encompasses Beaufort, Jasper, Colleton, Hampton and Allendale counties and includes active members from the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, nonprofits, victim service providers, social services, clergy, local, state and federal law enforcement, healthcare professionals, civic organizations and others.

“Our No. 1 goal is to be a useful and valued resource for our community,” said Woodward, an investigator for the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. “We want to aid in the prevention of, protection from and prosecution of those who profit from human trafficking.”

Woodward has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience. He is a member of the Solicitor’s Office Career Criminal Unit, a team of veteran prosecutors and investigators who target habitual and dangerous defendants.

Fraser oversees the day-to-day operation of the 14th Circuit Victims Services Center (VSC) and its community partners. She has been a Solicitor’s Office victim advocate for more than 15 years and is a Marine Corps veteran.

“The VSC is a great tool for connecting people from a variety of fields to stop human trafficking in our community,” Fraser said. “Survivors, law enforcement, health care professionals, victim-service providers – people from all of these perspectives have a chance to influence decisions about this issue.”

Woodward and Fraser take over from Sheila Roemeling, founder of Fresh Start Healing Heart, and Capt. Shane Roberts of the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office.

The Lowcountry Human Trafficking Task Force holds quarterly meetings. Its next meetings are scheduled for July 21 and Oct. 20.

To learn more about the task force, email sclchtff@gmail.com.

To report suspected human trafficking call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 (BeFree).

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