Prosecutors, Law Enforcement, and Survivors Desperate to Hold Traffickers Accountable as Sex Trafficking Cases Rise in Washington and Oregon

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Prosecutor Ben Gauen has been recognized for his efforts in identifying and addressing sex trafficking cases in Seattle. In a recent case, Gauen recognized the signs of sex trafficking when a teenager was seen screaming for help on Aurora Avenue North, a known area for sex trafficking in the city. Witnesses reported that the teenager had been assaulted and forced into an SUV. When police found her, she had bruises on her skin and appeared to be a victim of trafficking. However, she refused help, making it difficult for prosecutors to charge her attacker, Christopher Jamison, with trafficking.

Jamison, who had a history of rape and domestic violence charges, was instead charged with unlawful imprisonment and assault. He pleaded guilty to the assault charge and was released without supervision. Gauen argued in court that the assault was connected to sex trafficking, but without the victim coming forward as a trafficking victim, it was challenging to prove.

Sex trafficking is a significant issue in Washington and Oregon, which are recognized as hubs within a national and global sex trafficking circuit. Despite efforts by state legislators to crack down on trafficking, the percentage of trafficking cases in these states has risen since 2017, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. In contrast, neighboring California has seen improvements in addressing trafficking cases.

Trafficking convictions in Washington and Oregon have remained low, with a 21% decrease in the number of people convicted of sex trafficking crimes from 2014 to 2022. Law enforcement and prosecutors attribute this to the challenges of getting victims to participate in investigations. Survivors argue that more investments should be made in proactive investigations and increased funding for social services, such as housing and specialized treatment for trafficking victims.

The approach to sex trafficking by law enforcement has evolved over the years. Previously, arrests for prostitution were used to temporarily remove individuals from the sex trade and gather information for trafficking investigations. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards treating individuals involved in prostitution as victims and connecting them with services.

While the victim-centered approach has its merits, it also presents challenges. Traffickers can take advantage of the limited options available for victims, and many victims deny being trafficked, making it difficult for police to gather information about their traffickers.

Overall, there is a recognition that more needs to be done to hold traffickers accountable and protect victims. Both law enforcement and survivors agree that the solution is not to criminalize victims but to provide them with the necessary support and resources to come forward and participate in the prosecution of their traffickers..