Human Trafficking in Columbus Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

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.

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.

Right now, many young people have been taking part in virtual learning due to school buildings being closed. As a result, screen time has increased, and kids are spending more time on the internet, which is a primary way for traffickers to make contact with potential victims. Over the internet, traffickers build connections with kids they intend to exploit. Traffickers can act as “boyfriends” by buying victims gifts and taking them on trips, or as respected father figures. Ultimately, traffickers want to entice their victims to meet them. Meetings usually lead to the introduction of different types of drugs, and then to traffickers pressuring victims to pay back what they “owe” those taking advantage of them.

The pandemic has decreased advocates’ facetime with victims Because victims of human trafficking are so controlled by their traffickers, outreach is extremely important. These women have many needs, including medical, dental, psychological, etc., which can be met by outreach and advocacy programs. Their connections to these important resources were dramatically decreased by the pandemic and subsequent shutdown because advocates

could no longer meet trafficking victims face-to-face.

The pandemic has also drastically reduced the amount of facetime and services provided by law enforcement. Law enforcement officers conduct outreach alongside other programs to help provide women with information and education on human trafficking. Many women do not realize that they are being trafficked, or that soliciting is illegal.

Law enforcement officers’ interactions also help build trust with victims. Most officers that victims come into contact with are men, and so are their traffickers. Victims become so afraid of men, and especially men of authority, due to the trauma and abuse, that they tend to avoid police. With officers’ efforts to provide compassion, not abuse or aggression, victims are more open to intervention. After this trust is built, women help provide information about Johns and the men trafficking them that can lead to arrest. Recently, one such interaction even led to a homicide case being solved.

A balancing act: reducing the jail population while helping trafficking victims

We know that jails in the United States are overcrowded. Conversations around reducing the jail population recently increased with efforts to mitigate inmates’ exposure to the coronavirus. As a solution, some cities, including Columbus, have adopted a policy to stop arresting individuals for low-level, nonviolent offenses. This is a policy that was being considered by the City Attorney’s Office and was accelerated by the pandemic.

Running in tandem to this discussion is the reality that arresting women for soliciting, a non-violent crime, can actually

help them long-term. Changing Actions to Change Habits (CATCH) court graduates often say that jailtime has saved their lives.

Because victims are afraid to voluntarily connect with programs to help them escape or seek help, arrests can be seen as a safer option for them to access vital resources. When trafficking victims are arrested, they are placed in front of treatment teams and defense attorneys. In Columbus, Court and Salvation Army advocates visit suspected trafficking victims, helping connect them with health care, counseling, h o u s i n g , treatment and a path out of trafficking. Separating victims from their traffickers for just 72 hours can help change their lives.

Over the last few months, Columbus has seen a decrease in trafficking arrests, though we know there is no decrease in trafficking activity. The City Attorney’s Office has been working with Columbus Police to balance the new arrest policy with the complexities of trafficking. The City Attorney’s Office is supportive of taking a case-bycase approach to arresting suspected victims of trafficking. The City Attorney’s Office continues to support appropriate arrests and issuing bonds to protect these women and get them the help they need.

The pandemic’s impact on victims in treatment

The coronavirus pandemic has created a sense of isolation where crucial connection once existed. Victims of human trafficking who are in treatment rely on a sense of “family” for support. Since March of this year, the majority of their interactions with anyone, including their counseling and treatment appointments, have been online. Face-to-face connections are crucial for all human beings, but it may be argued that it is more crucial for this group of women due to the trauma and abuse they have experienced.

Although some programs are starting to open back up and some tried to be virtually available, many staff members of those programs have seen the negative impacts the pandemic has caused. These women often want to leave but feel drawn back in due to trauma bonding and fear. To put it into perspective, at the beginning of March of this year, CATCH Court had 38 participants. It is now down to 21 participants due to women either running from CATCH or opting out. In spite of all that, what this pandemic has revealed is that no matter what happens with our economy, social unrest, school closings or unemployment, victims continue to be sex trafficked. And they continue to need our help.

Credits: CATCH Court participants and graduate; Hannah Estabrook, CATCH Court coordinator; Judge Paul Herbert, Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court, and Founder of CATCH Court; and Aaron Dennis, Human Trafficking Taskforce Detective.

Heidy Carr, Esq.

Assistant City Attorney, Zone Initiative Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein’s Office HTCarr@columbus.gov