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CATCH Court

Creating Autonomy Through Collaborative Healing

What We Do

In Franklin County, Ohio alone, approximately 1,200 women are arrested each year for solicitation. Rather than viewing a woman convicted of a prostitution-related arrest as a criminal, CATCH views her as a victim who needs acceptance, commitment to a structured program, and the unwavering belief in her ability to transform her life from one of dependency to one of freedom.

Our Mission

CATCH is committed to the liberation of all women who have experienced the cycle of abuse embedded within human trafficking, and the sex industry. By providing robust resources and inclusive community regardless of socioeconomic background, race, or sexual identity, CATCH hopes to provide an evidenced-based treatment court program for women to successfully exit the criminal legal system and the sex industry. CATCH strives to serve as a model program for court leaders throughout Ohio and the United States.

Our Success in Numbers

80%

National Recidivism Rate for Women in Prostitution

45%

Recidivism Rate for ALL women who have been in CATCH

18%

Recidivism Rate for CATCH graduates

25%

Graduation rate among participants

Women have successfully graduated to date

" Something happened to them. Something that was not their fault.
They are a victim. And yet, they are strong, so they must survive. Survive at all costs."

— Judge Paul Herbert, Founder of CATCH Court

Hundreds of people gathered to recognize the latest graduates from Franklin County Municipal Court’s CATCH Court, the state’s first human-trafficking specialized docket.

Read: Human Trafficking Court Graduates Celebrate New Beginning

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“I knew without CATCH I was going to die. I needed CATCH Court like I need my breath. I realized my way was the wrong way and started doing it their way. Things just fell into place; everything and everyone. I consider myself one of the luckiest and happiest people on earth.”

–Lori Moyer, 2020 Graduate

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Central Ohio law enforement recently arrested 93 as johns targeted in human trafficking stings.
"Operation 614" was a two-day sting at hotels across central Ohio that targeted the demand side of the sex trade as well as efforts to identify victims of human trafficking and get them connected to services.

Read More from the Columbus Dispatch

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Judge Paul Herbert came to the realization that human trafficking victims looked incredibly similar to those convicted for prostitution. Through research, he learned the horrible truths about the sex industry in Columbus and decided to take and founded CATCH Court in 2009 to provide a path of rehabilitation, recovery, and support for human trafficking victims.

Watch: A Grander Vision - Judge Paul Herbert

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"CATCH gave me my first sense of true family. They loved me until I could love myself. They helped me replace my shame with purpose. Without CATCH Court I would not be here to share my story."

- Amber Pascol, 2016 Graduate and 2020 Certified Peer Support Specialist

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"No little girl ever dreamed of growing up to become a prostitute"

The International Labour Organization estimates that there are 20.9 million victims of human trafficking globally and sex trafficking is estimated to be a $150 billion per year industry, worldwide.

Watch: Caught in Columbus

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Some Numbers

There are many common threads among participants in the program.

72% grew up in poverty
86% don’t have a HS diploma or GED
93% are mothers
83% have already been linked in the mental health system
94% have been victims of sexual or intimate partner violence

Download a CATCH Court brochure.

What to Expect

Participants of the program agree to the following:

Complete two years of intensive probation
Participate in weekly status review hearings
Attend monthly meetings with probation officer
Provide frequent drug screens and comply with residential treatment
Agree to stay away from certain people, places and things

Community Outreach

CATCH staff collaborate regularly with graduates to offer trainings to social service providers, legal staff, police departments, and more upon request. We seek to educate agencies locally and nationwide on our relationship-centric docket, as well as lessons learned through the years.

If you would like to schedule a training, please contact a CATCH staff member.

Successful Outcomes

In 10 years, CATCH Court has enrolled more than 350 women and graduated more than 65. With an approach like CATCH, there has been a 75% overall reduction in criminal cases for participants.

Successful Outcomes
Expectations and Benefits

Participant’s basic needs are met with opportunities to attend outings, case management, mentorship and opportunities to dismiss and seal eligible cases. Hard work is rewarded while violations are met with responsive consequences to keep them on track.

Expectations and Benefits
Raise Awareness

"Women are the last great hope of this country. Women have driven social change in every respect."

- Virginia O'Keeffe, founder and CEO of Amethyst

Raise Awareness

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CATCH Court

What We Do

Our Mission

Our Success in Numbers

Some Numbers

What to Expect

Community Outreach

Successful Outcomes In 10 years, CATCH Court has enrolled more than 350 women and graduated more than 65. With an approach like CATCH, there has been a 75% overall reduction in criminal cases for participants.

Successful Outcomes

Expectations and Benefits Participant’s basic needs are met with opportunities to attend outings, case management, mentorship and opportunities to dismiss and seal eligible cases. Hard work is rewarded while violations are met with responsive consequences to keep them on track.

Expectations and Benefits

Raise Awareness "Women are the last great hope of this country. Women have driven social change in every respect." - Virginia O'Keeffe, founder and CEO of Amethyst

Raise Awareness

Successful Outcomes

In 10 years, CATCH Court has enrolled more than 350 women and graduated more than 65. With an approach like CATCH, there has been a 75% overall reduction in criminal cases for participants.

Expectations and Benefits

Participant’s basic needs are met with opportunities to attend outings, case management, mentorship and opportunities to dismiss and seal eligible cases. Hard work is rewarded while violations are met with responsive consequences to keep them on track.

Raise Awareness

"Women are the last great hope of this country. Women have driven social change in every respect."

- Virginia O'Keeffe, founder and CEO of Amethyst