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Akron Municipal Court Judge Ron Cable is presenting "The Recovery and Survival Summit" on Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the John S. Knight Center, located at 77 E. Mill St. in Akron.

The Keynote Speaker is author, child welfare advocate and child abduction survivor Elizabeth Smart. Fox 8 News in the Morning Co-Anchor Kristi Capel will moderate an audience question and answer session with Ms. Smart.

There is no cost to secure a ticket. All are welcome but the event will best serve community members who interact with human trafficking survivors through their work or through their volunteer efforts.

A complete agenda is available online and includes a trauma-informed care presentation, a provider panel and a survivor panel. All topics on the agenda address how to help this population heal from trauma, abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault.

CLEs, CEUs, Nursing CEs and CPTs are pending approval.

In October 2018, Judge Cable launched Restore Individual Self-Empowerment (RISE) as a court-sponsored program for human trafficking survivors and sexual exploitation. In November 2020, the Ohio Supreme Court granted it specialized docket certification. Ohio law provides for expungement for victims of human trafficking.

“I am proud of the impact RISE has had on our jurisdiction,” said Judge Cable. “Hosting a large event where social workers, nurses, law enforcement and other justice partners can learn how to treat survivors will help our region combat this issue as a whole.”

There will be an opportunity for attendees to have a book signed by Elizabeth Smart. Attendees can bring one of Ms. Smart’s books that they already own but copies of books will be available for purchase on-site through Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Centre in Akron.

This event is made possible by The Maynard Family Foundation, Akron Municipal Court, RISE Court and Fox 8 Cleveland.

Online registration is available by visiting: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/judge-ron-cable-presents-the-recovery-and-survival-summit-tickets-1154903841479

Questions can be directed to Judge Cable’s courtroom by calling (330) 375-2944 or emailing AFoutty@akronohio.gov.

Download the flyer here.

Elizabeth Smart

Kristi Capel

Judge Ron Cable