Fall ‘20: The Impact of the Pandemic
Human Trafficking
In Columbus Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic by: heidy carr
Disclaimer: Human trafficking occurs in many different ways, to many different people. There is no set method traffickers use to exploit their victims. Much of the information used in this article talks about sex trafficking in Columbus, Ohio, and specifically, women who have had contact with the courts. The information used here is not to reflect all types of trafficking that occur. Words such as “women” used for victims of human trafficking and “Johns” used for men who buy sex are used here in a generalized manner. There are many boys and men that are sold into sex, as well as women who buy sex or who traffick victims.
From illnesses and deaths to business closures and jobs lost, the coronavirus pandemic has affected all of us. As the world tries to rebound from the ongoing damages of COVID-19, human traffickers have profited from this pandemic in many ways. Stay-at-home orders increased demand and exploitation The stay-at-home orders in many states, while beneficial for the health and well-being of the greater population, contributed to traffickers’ ability to exploit their victims. With more people staying at home, Johns included, offenders have had more time to roam the streets and purchase sex. This climate has made it easier for Johns who are unemployed due to COVID to target victims. Stay-at-home orders have not only impacted the demand of the human trafficking industry, but also the number of victims. Young people are
Stay-at-home orders have not only impacted the demand of the human trafficking industry, but also the number of victims. Young people are already incredibly vulnerable to trafficking – more than 60 percent of women in prostitution are trafficked before their 18th birthdays. And the pandemic has made children even more susceptible. 36 | Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly Fall 2020
