Human Trafficking in the Heartland: Variation in Law Enforcement Awareness and Response

• NCJ Number: 223739
• Journal: Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2008 Pages: 296-313
• Author(s): Jeremy M. Wilson; Erin Dalton
• Date Published: August 2008
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): 05-JG-BOV-7667
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Case Study
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the extent and characteristics of human trafficking in Columbus and Toledo, OH, as well as the law-enforcement response.

Abstract

The study identified 15 cases of human trafficking, 10 in Toledo and 5 in Columbus. The two types of human-trafficking markets involved were domestic commercial sex and transnational labor trafficking. The 10 domestic cases involved commercial sex trafficking of Toledo-area juveniles lured or abducted by 1 or more Toledo-area adult offenders. At the time of this research, Toledo law enforcement agencies were investigating 60 possible human traffickers in 6 of these cases; 4 cases were being prosecuted or had been adjudicated. The five transnational cases in Columbus involved the exploitation and forced labor (four domestic and one hotel) of foreign nationals. At the time of this study, four of the five cases were unknown to law enforcement. The known number of victims in each case ranged from 1 to at least 10. The study’s analysis of the characteristics of these cases addresses victim characteristics, trafficker characteristics, victim-trafficker relationships, victim recruitment, working locations and conditions, physical and psychological abuse, and comparison of the cases in Columbus and Toledo. An analysis of the law-enforcement response discusses training and resources, the identification of victim, the treatment of potential victims, the investigation and prosecution of cases, charges, the role of criminal statutes, and Columbus and Toledo comparison. Recommendations for the law enforcement response are to improve training, education, and outreach; improve law enforcement capacity; improve practitioner collaboration; refine departmental policies; use analyses in developing evidence-based programs and response; and consider and assess legislative, legal, and regulatory changes. The study involved a full-text review of 585 articles related to human trafficking; key respondents were identified through training and conference attendance registries, by organizational mission, and recommendations from practitioners. 2 notes and 26 references