Solicitor Education Program, LLC administers the Columbus Solicitor Education Program (formerly known as The John School). This one day course is designed for first-time offenders charged with M1 2907.231 Engaging in Prostitution as part of their sentencing. We serve in this space as an organization outside of law enforcement or the criminal legal system. You can read more about Columbus’ response to solicitation through this 10TV story.
We facilitate this program in realizing our vision to see all those impacted by human trafficking and *compulsory sex work restored into society, thriving in the workplace, and welcomed in the community. We realize that many solicitors may struggle with other issues or a history of trauma that lead them to arrest, and offer this class as a means of connecting those in need with further resources.
Meals during the Solicitor Education Program are funded through participant course fees and provided by Freedom a la Cart, a Columbus-based organization that supports survivors of human trafficking. By partnering with Freedom a la Cart, SEP ensures that funds raised through the program have the greatest impact on local survivor care initiatives. This commitment - directing resources to community organizations such as She Has A Name and Freedom a la Cart - is central to the restorative justice approach of the Columbus Model of Solicitor Education.
The Solicitor Education Program is held at **Veritas Community Church: Tri-City
4772 Cemetery Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Course Fees:
Pre-Registration Fee: $350
Pre-Registrations must be completed online or over the phone 24 hours prior to class in order to qualify for the $350 course fee. Individuals who are not pre-registered will pay the Day-Of-Class Course Fee of $400
Course Fees collected from participants fund She Has A Name’s human trafficking survivor restoration programs.
A limited number of scholarships are available for those unable to pay the fee.
Scholarship applications are due 1 week prior to the class you are enrolled in.
2026 Solicitor Education Programs
Programs in Columbus are held once every 90 days.
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
Saturday, Feb. 7th, 2026
Saturday, Aug. 8th, 2026
Saturday, Nov. 7th, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enroll?
The class is open to first-time offenders charged under ORC 2907.231 – Engaging in Prostitution, at the recommendation of a sentencing judge or attorney.
How can I sign up?
Registration and payment may be completed online by clicking the Register link above.
How long is the course?
This is a one-day class, typically held on a Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
What does it cost to participate?
The course fee is $350, which covers program expenses and directly funds local human trafficking survivor support initiatives. Lunch, snacks, coffee, and water are included.
A limited number of scholarships are available for those unable to pay. Applications are due one week before class, and recipients will be notified before the program date.
We recommend pre-registering. Walk-in registration on the day of class is $400.
Certificates of completion will only be issued once the registration fee has been paid in full.
How do I pay for the course?
Debit or credit card payments may be made through our online registration system. On the day of class, we accept both cash and card.
What if I don’t speak English? / ¿Qué pasa si no hablo inglés?
SEP is committed to making our program accessible to non-English speakers. We have a Spanish translator on staff, as well as Spanish-language workbooks available for participants.
If another language is needed, we can provide AI-generated translation tools to maximize course impact. Participants are also welcome to bring their own interpreter at no additional cost.
SEP está comprometido a hacer que nuestro programa sea accesible para personas que no hablan inglés. Contamos con un traductor de español en nuestro equipo, así como cuadernos de trabajo en español. Si se necesita otro idioma, podemos proporcionar herramientas de traducción generadas por IA para maximizar el impacto del curso. Los participantes también pueden traer su propio intérprete sin coste adicional.
What is the class structure?
The day is divided into six sessions covering a variety of topics. SEP is a trauma-informed program, meaning we recognize that many participants may have experienced trauma earlier in life. Each session is followed by a break, and lunch is provided. Typical class size ranges from 30 to 80 participants.
What is expected of me as a participant?
Participants are expected to be present and attentive for the full day. Cell phone use is discouraged except during breaks. We ask that participants bring an open mind and willingness to engage respectfully in discussions. Disruptive, disrespectful, or off-topic comments will not be tolerated. The facilitators may dismiss disruptive participants, and dismissal will result in no certificate of completion.
How do I prove my attendance to the court?
At the end of the class, once your fee has been paid in full, you will receive a certificate of completion. You are responsible for bringing this certificate with you to your court date.
Sign Up For Notificatons
Please fill out this form if you would like to be notified about upcoming Solicitor Education Programs and registration opportunities.
Thank you!
Directions
Veritas Community Church: Tri-City is located at:
4772 Cemetery Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026, which is 1 mile West of I-270.
If you are heading West on Cemetery Road from I-270, Veritas Tri-City Church will be on your right, just past Kroger. Parking is available behind the church.
*At Solicitor Education Program, LLC, we recognize that some individuals engage in sex work by choice, while others are involved through force, fraud, or coercion. Our curriculum is designed to avoid stigmatizing sex workers in any circumstance.
We use the term “compulsory sex work” to help participants understand that, although some people willingly enter the industry, many are exploited or trafficked against their will. This distinction is vital for sex buyers to grasp, as it underscores the harm caused by demand.
The primary focus of the Solicitor Education Program is not to judge sex workers, but to address the personal beliefs, attitudes, and experiences that drive individuals to purchase sex.
**Solicitor Education Program, LLC. is grateful to Veritas Community Church for generously providing the space to host this event. The use of this event space should not be interpreted as an endorsement or promotion of any specific beliefs or views by SEP. Solicitor Education Program, LLC. is a nonreligious organization and welcomes those from all backgrounds and faiths to participate in our programming.