***Article first published by 'Washington Examiner' on July 20, 2019***

Some of his victims were just 14 years old when they were sexually exploited, coerced, and beaten. The Jeffery Epstein case shows what sex trafficking a form of human trafficking really looks like: a living nightmare filled with mental manipulation, substance abuse, and all manners of sexual violence including rape.

Yet, as the human trafficking epidemic continues, presidential candidates Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Tulsi Gabbard and Kamala Harris are on-record supporting the decriminalization of prostitution. They do so in defense of a women’s right to use her body as she sees fit. Other Democratic candidates are also likely to jump at the chance to raise their hands in support of legalizing the abuse of women under the guise of freedom. New York, Maine, and Washington, D.C. feel similarly and are currently considering decriminalization bills.

Supporters argue decriminalization is a “choice” made between two consenting adults who should have autonomy over their bodies and their labor.

Did they all watch Pretty Woman and come away believing that all prostitutes could share Julia Roberts’ fairytale? Can we trust every relationship to be balanced between two consenting adults? In truth, prostitution is no fairy tale, consent is rarely given, and prostitutes aren’t entrepreneurs engaged in the world’s oldest profession. They’re victims of human trafficking and often just the commodity traded between Johns and a pimp.

Day in and out, women, children, immigrants, and the poor are kidnapped, coerced, and beaten into human trafficking rings. Their captors use violence and drug addiction to keep victims from trying to run, threatening not only their lives, but also the lives of their families.

Democratic plans to legalize prostitution will increase human trafficking in America, especially in Ohio, now ranked fourth, trailing California, Texas, and Florida for the highest number of human trafficking abuses.

Proponents claim legalization and government regulation would make the practice safer. However, research shows countries that legalize or decriminalize commercial sex often experience a surge in human trafficking, pimping, and other related crimes.

A study from the University of Cincinnati identified more than 1,000 minors as the victims of human trafficking in Ohio between 2014 and 2016. Another 4,209 youth were at risk for trafficking victimization during that time. More recently, the Epstein case shows the charges against the billionaire for sexually abusing and exploiting dozens of vulnerable underage girls. In both the study and the Epstein case, these are not consenting adults but victims of a well-calculated and complex industry to objectify and control women.

A prostitution arrest is often the first step in freeing a human trafficking victim from bondage. Victims are offered protection by law enforcement for information on buyers and captors. In fact, Judge Paul Herbert’s CATCH (Changing Actions To Change Habits) court in Ohio is leading the effort in freeing women from captivity through a two-year intensive probation, addiction treatment, and trauma-focused therapy. The survivors are living proof that the program works. While the national average of recidivism is 80%, CATCH Court’s rate is at 29%.

As Ohio combats the human trafficking epidemic, we must continue to partner with community groups and anti-trafficking organizations, to help victims get back on their feet and overcome post-traumatic stress.

However, community partnerships alone will not protect the most vulnerable from exploitation. Sex trafficking must be defeated by aggressive prosecution of traffickers and wrap-around support and compassion for victims. Legalization of prostitution would only continue the cycle of rape and injustice against women and children. It would only allow the heinous abuse of minors by Epstein to go untouched.

Mehek Cooke is a Republican lawyer and consultant from Ohio.