Long-time local public servant will lead the way in tackling a serious problem in the state

Beth White was recently appointed as president and CEO of the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking.

White said sexual assault and human trafficking continue to plague Hoosiers. In Indiana, one in five women have been sexually assaulted. Indiana ranks fourth in the nation for reported rapes among high school girls, and sixth for high school boys. 

“Every child in the state of Indiana is at risk and it is unacceptable,” White said.

White said it is time to work even harder to prevent these kinds of crimes and to better support survivors.

“What are the things that our state legislature, our school boards, our city and county councils- what do they need to be doing to protect and create an environment where we don’t have victims,” White said.

White, a former attorney, currently serves as executive director of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee.  She also served two terms as the elected Marion County Clerk.

She was chief legal counsel for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. She launched her career with Barnes and Thornburg, transitioning to public service when the opportunity arose to serve as a deputy prosecutor in the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. White was also a member of the Marion County Criminal Justice Planning Council, and the boards of the Julian Center and the Indianapolis Public Schools Foundation.

“We are thrilled a leader of Beth’s caliber will be leading ICESAHT into the future,” said Board President Greg Zoeller said. “Her energy, tenacity, and compassion will ensure the voices of survivors are heard, particularly in these challenging times. On behalf of the board, we look forward to working with her.”

White will assume her new role mid-January.