Gracehaven is a Christian ministry that serves and cares for youth victims of sex trafficking across the state of Ohio. It was formed about 10 years ago and has been a haven of safety and comfort for girls in the area who have been victimized by child sex trafficking and abuse.
For years, Gracehaven partnered with Montgomery County, Ohio to provide services for these victims but that changed recently when the county changed contracting terms to include some new non-discrimination language.
"Gracehaven pointed out the fact that they hire religious people who believe in religious things and the county did not appreciate that and canceled the contract," says attorney Ryan Tucker of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the law firm representing Gracehaven. "So, that has put in jeopardy the ability of this fine organization to help these young girls who have been victimized by sex trafficking."
A status conference is set for next week. Attorneys will discuss a briefing schedule and potential oral argument for ADF's request for injunctive relief.
"So, it will be fairly soon when we get a chance to argue on behalf of Gracehaven and the girls that it serves," says Tucker.
AFN reached out to Montgomery County, Ohio and received this response:
"We are aware of the situation but cannot comment due to pending litigation. We remain committed to transparency and will provide updates when appropriate."
Bias cases on the rise
The federal lawsuit is known as Gracehaven v Montgomery Country Department of Job and Family Services and is filed in United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Western Division.
"We've certainly seen an increase over the years of governmental agencies that are adverse towards people of faith and those that have certain employment practices, and I think this case will send a message to those government officials thinking that they can discriminate on that basis against these institutions that this is not acceptable. That’s unconstitutional, and religious organizations common sensically have a right to hire people that believe like they do," says Tucker.
