Restoring women trapped in prostitution

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Restoring women trapped in prostitution

Prostitution and trafficking trap countless women in a life of misery and subjugation. For those who lead comfortable lives, it’s a distant—if even recognized—problem. But it’s right here in Columbus, Ohio, and it’s widespread and destructive.

To get a sense for the problem, listen to the podcast Lawyer Up, where lawyers John Gonzales and Jack D’Aurora talk with Hannah Estabrook about how women get lured, groomed and, finally, trapped in the sex trade.

Some women do find their way out, and it’s because of the efforts of people like Hannah, a mental health clinician and coordinator at the Franklin County CATCH (Changing Actions to Change Habits) Court, which seeks to restore victims of prostitution.

Hannah is also the director of Sanctuary Night, a sacred space created for women still caught in the cycles of prostitution and addiction in Franklinton, a west side Columbus neighborhood.

The team at Sanctuary Night has purchased a house on Sullivant Avenue—right in the middle of where the sex trade plays out in Columbus—and is working to convert the house to a full-time (24/7) drop-in center for the women (and sometimes men), who are trapped in the sex trade.

Lend a hand by making a donation or serving as a volunteer.

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Jack D’Aurora writes for Considerthisbyjd.com

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Comments

  1. Bruce  January 15, 2020

    Jack – We also have a drop in center at the Salvation Army Hilltop location on W. Mound for victims of trafficking.

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  2. Ron  January 15, 2020

    Jack: It is true that trafficing brings misery to the lives of many. the problem is not limited to the near west side where girls walk the streets looking for tricks. There are middle class women (or their pimps for them) who subtly advertise on internet sex or dating sites. Moreover the control over these women is fueled by pimps who see that the woman’s drug addiction gets satisfied. Our local courts have come a long way during the last 10 + years in addressing the problem by offering non-penal, though demanding, programs aimed at breaking the addiction, enabling the victim to break from the pimp. I appreciate your brief but to the point article.

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  3. Debbie Fette  January 16, 2020

    There is also an organization called She Has A Name. Visit their website to learn more. https://shehasaname.org/ – “She Has A Name is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to engaging the community, strengthening partner organizations, and equipping survivors through workforce development. We join together declaring that survivors of human trafficking have a name, a nobility, and a narrative.”

    And now for my opinion. You very seldom see the “Johns/Janes” being publicized and exhibited like the victims are (with few exceptions like the Tuesday night bust in Canal Winchester). Thank you Fairfield County for calling out these buyers. If you’re going to call out the sellers, let’s have more call out of the the buyers no matter the buyer’s possible “respectful in the community” life.

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  4. Amy  January 20, 2020

    Thanks Jack for an insightful article and podcast. Women and teenage girls are victims of human trafficking. Their stories need to be told so that more policies and programs can be implemented to enable their recovery as well as prevent additional victims. Along with counseling and other programs, the housing needs of these women must be addressed. Do they have access to quality, healthy affordable housing in a safe neighborhood? When they don’t, their recovery is impacted. If they have evictions on their records, are all such records expunged as well? A program such as Move to PROSPER could be impactful for these survivors.

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