It is a Thursday in courtroom 6D at the Franklin County Municipal Court. This is not my normal courtroom where I typically preside over a daily docket filled with traffic and criminal misdemeanors. This sacred space is for CATCH Court, a certified specialized docket to serve victims of human trafficking who find themselves entangled in the criminal justice system. An observer walking in would not see me on the bench wearing a robe or even looking at files. Instead, I am sitting in a circle alongside the women of CATCH, sharing stories, offering comfort, laughing, crying, encouraging one another, and walking together on a path toward healing. Surrounding us in that circle is my extraordinary CATCH team made up of other justice system stakeholders, including social workers, public defenders, prosecutors, and probation officers. Also filling the space around the women are the community partners, mentors, volunteers, and peer supporters.
This is CATCH Court.
CATCH was established in 2009 by the Honorable Judge Paul Herbert. After 11 years of impactful service, Judge Herbert retired in 2020 and entrusted me with the responsibility of continuing to grow and evolve the program. CATCH takes a non-adversarial approach to supporting individuals who have pled guilty to offenses such as loitering, solicitation, prostitution, and other crimes, particularly when those individuals are survivors of human trafficking or have been identified by the court as being at risk for sexual exploitation. Unlike traditional mental health or drug court models, the CATCH program is uniquely designed to address the complex trauma experienced by participants, many of whom suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder because of trafficking, adverse childhood experiences, or their involvement in the sex trade. The program prioritizes trauma-informed care by connecting participants with mental health and substance abuse treatment, and by supporting healthy lifestyle changes through access to stable housing, supportive relationships, and educational opportunities.
When I stepped into the role of presiding judge over the CATCH program, our team undertook a thorough review of our policies and practices through the lenses of diversity, equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed care. With insights from experts in trauma, racial disparities, and the criminal justice system, we uncovered a key disconnect between the intent of our policies and their actual impact. Although our procedures were designed with safety in mind, measures such as stay-away orders, restrictions on relationships, and driving limitations were, in practice, creating unintended consequences — fostering secrecy, isolation, and shame. These outcomes were counterproductive to the healing and recovery that the program aims to support.
We recognized that these effects were especially harmful because they mirrored the very cycles of trauma many of our participants had already endured, cycles marked by secrecy, shame, and silence. I often reflect on what researcher Brené Brown said: “Shame loves secrecy. The most dangerous thing to do after a shaming experience is hide or bury our story. When we bury our story, the shame metastasizes.” This insight powerfully reflects the lived experiences of so many in our program. Their stories called for a different path — one that didn’t perpetuate harm but instead focused on healing and restoration.
CATCH originally stood for Changing Actions to Change Habits, but in 2023, we redefined the name to better reflect our evolved philosophy: Creating Autonomy Through Collaborative Healing. This shift marked a meaningful transition away from outdated standards and toward more compassionate, trauma-informed practices. Our focus is now firmly on equipping each woman with the tools to make empowered decisions about her recovery and her life, and on offering support, not punishment, when those decisions are challenging or imperfect.
Additionally, we have recognized how essential it is to include the powerful voices of women who have had direct experiences with CATCH Court and the legal system when evolving the program. We utilize a multifaceted approach to ensure that our processes and procedures are informed by the women and centered on their diverse experiences. This is done through research initiatives and graduate exit interviews. CATCH staff meet with graduates upon their exit from the program, once off probation, to promote honesty regarding their experiences and feedback. The data is then compiled into a report and disseminated amongst the team for review. The process has illuminated preferential and effective treatment partners, positive and negative experiences in the referral process and court interactions, feelings of safety, and gaps in services/considerations for improvement. This has bolstered our efforts for better outcomes through the development of a curriculum for graduates in the last six months of the program, additional community partnerships for more robust resources, and refined practices of the status review sessions.
Since implementing these changes, we have witnessed a remarkable increase in participant engagement. While much of the feedback has been anecdotal, the impact is clear. Women are now more willing to speak openly about their setbacks, relationships, and struggles. As trust grew, especially in difficult moments, they began to see us as allies in their journey. This shift transformed the culture of the docket. Vulnerability became an opportunity not for punishment, but for growth, support, and healing.
We have also seen a powerful shift in the diversity of our participants. By easing overly restrictive rules and embracing a harm reduction model rooted in safe, supportive relationships, the program became more accessible to a broader range of individuals. From 2015 to 2022, just 14% of our participants identified as African American. Since 2023, that number has risen to 43%. In response, we have expanded our resources, bringing in more gender-specific, trauma-informed partners, strengthening peer support and mentorship, and ensuring our spaces and treatment options are culturally responsive and inclusive.
We are grateful for the amazing community partners who support us in walking alongside each woman on her path to healing and empowerment. For instance, Freedom à la Cart, a café, bakery, and catering social enterprise based in Columbus, Ohio, empowers survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation by providing essentials like clothing and hygiene products, as well as mentorship, workforce development, and community engagement opportunities. Similarly, Sanctuary Night serves as a local drop-in center serving vulnerable women at risk for sexual exploitation. It provides a place to rest, eat, connect, and obtain desired resources. It is a vibrant community led by survivors and champions who promote the flourishing of all who are impacted by sexual exploitation and trafficking.
CATCH is a two-year program structured around four key phases: Safety and Grounding, Stability and Recovery, Reconnect, and Sustain and Thrive, finishing with a meaningful graduation. Throughout these phases, participants engage in varying levels of treatment tailored to their clinical needs. They work closely with their probation officers to set goals and ensure program compliance. As part of their accountability, the women are required to submit to frequent drug testing and attend weekly court status review sessions. On the last Thursday of each month, however, instead of court, participants take part in a pro-social community activity organized in partnership with Freedom à la Cart. These activities, such as trips to the zoo or art museum, horseback riding, beauty and wellness days, bowling, yoga, and more, offer safe, sober opportunities to build healthy relationships and enjoy new experiences. These moments are vital for building connections, fun, and a sense of belonging within a supportive community.
After the women have completed all four phases of the program, they are honored at our annual graduation at the Ohio Statehouse. While graduation is a wonderful celebration filled with heartfelt speeches, gratitude, and often tears of happiness, one of the most powerful moments in the journey is often the expungement hearing. In Ohio, survivors of human trafficking now have the opportunity to clear certain criminal records tied to their exploitation. As of October 24, 2024, Ohio Senate Bill 214 allows individuals convicted of prostitution-related offenses and certain low-level misdemeanors and felonies to apply for expungement if they can demonstrate that their involvement in the offense was a direct result of being trafficked. This new legislation expands on earlier efforts by broadening eligibility and offering survivors a real path toward reclaiming their lives. By removing the legal and social barriers of a criminal record, the law opens doors to employment, housing, and education — key steps in breaking the cycle of exploitation. It is hard to fully capture the emotion in these hearings, not just for the survivors, but for me as well. Many women have described the moment as one of true freedom, a powerful milestone in their healing journey.
As CATCH looks toward the future, our constant focus is on improving outcomes for the program and the population served. The trauma, mental health, addiction, and involvement in the sex trade are often generational issues. Research has illuminated that family interventions demonstrate promise for survivors of the sex industry; however, they are rarely considered within their treatment programming. Sex industry participation and substance use commonly co-occur and create positive feedback loops that unfold numerous consequences to the health and well-being of the women involved. Many of these women seek substance use treatment, but their treatment success is markedly low. Our preliminary data reflect that family relationships are critical in women’s treatment, decision-making, and success. However, women also encounter numerous challenges, such as familial stigma, lack of family support, and cultures of familial substance use that limit their efforts to abstain from substance use. Women reported feeling ill-prepared and alone to navigate complex family dynamics, which leads to relapse episodes and premature treatment exits.
Given the strong influence and motivation from family members, interventions that incorporate family support and target improved familial relationships, in conjunction with substance use, represent promising strategies towards supporting long-term reductions in substance use. Prior research has reflected that family interventions show promise in reducing substance use and mental health symptoms among this unique population, yet these interventions were not designed for this population.
As part of our effort to address the unique challenges of this population, a codesign team comprised of survivors and the program leader of CATCH Court was assembled to guide the work. The resulting family intervention will be tested as an add-on to CATCH Court, and if proven to positively impact outcomes as anticipated, will be incorporated into the treatment plan of the participants. Our hope is that this innovative intervention can be implemented as a part of all human trafficking courts around the country.
While the CATCH program continues to grow through innovation and reform, some core traditions remain unchanged. One of the most powerful is a rite of passage that marks the transition into the final phase of the program. In a courageous moment, each woman reads aloud a declaration — a commitment to her future. This tradition is known as “Burn the Ships.” The story behind this declaration was first shared with our founder, Judge Paul Herbert, by a survivor who found freedom in its message:
“It was mission impossible, or so it seemed at the time. In 1519, Captain Hernán Cortés left Spain with 11 Ships and 600 sailors, sailing the treacherous seas in search of Mexico. All who had tried had failed. Yet with true grit, determination, and teamwork, Cortés and his crew survived the traumatic journey and arrived in a new world that held the promise of a tremendous future. Yet for them to fully take hold of this new future and all its promises, they had to rid themselves of the things of their past and thoughts of their old life. Captain Cortés, famous for his inspirational speeches, gave a short yet resounding order: “Burn the Ships.”
The speech that followed the Captain’s order was his finest. He convinced the crew that until they were ready to let go of their past and embrace an unwavering commitment to themselves and success in this new world, they would be doomed to fail. After the last ship sank, returning to their old life was no longer an option.”
The question is posed to every graduate of CATCH Court: “Are you ready to burn the ships in your own life that are holding you back, and successfully conquer your new world?” She answers, “I hereby declare that I have reached the point where going back to my old life is not an option. I declare that I have an unwavering commitment to my success. I have a thirst for life and a spirit of adventure. I may face new and different challenges, but I will overcome any obstacles by working my program and using the new tools and resources I have to be successful. I am in charge of my own life and hereby give the order to Burn the Ships.”
This September, CATCH Court will proudly celebrate the graduation of 15 remarkable, resilient women. Through the program, they have developed the skills to make empowered choices, found their voices, and leaned on a strong, supportive community as they rebuild their lives. They have learned to distinguish between what is healthy and unhealthy for themselves, their futures, and their recovery journeys. And so, on Thursdays in courtroom 6D, we return to where it all begins — not just in location, but in purpose. What began as a shift from the traditional courtroom into a circle of shared stories and healing has grown into a dynamic, evolving program centered on the real needs and voices of the women we serve. Every step we have taken, from reevaluating policies through a trauma-informed lens to reimagining our name to co-designing new family-based interventions, has reaffirmed our commitment to walk alongside each participant with empathy, respect, and unwavering support. As I sit among these resilient women, not above them on a bench, I am reminded again and again that this courtroom is sacred not because of the law it upholds, but because of the healing it makes possible.
This is CATCH Court.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Judge Jodi Thomas has dedicated her career to public service and the legal profession, serving as an attorney at the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office for 14 years before being appointed to the Franklin County Municipal Court Bench in 2016. Recognized for her advocacy for victims of human trafficking, veterans, and individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, she now oversees specialized dockets, underscoring her commitment to justice and rehabilitation in the community.
