Pioneering Civil Litigation Against Sex Trafficking
Babin Law stands at the forefront of the fight against sex trafficking in American courtrooms. Steven Babin is lead trial counsel on the first-ever case filed under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) against major hotel brands — a landmark action that opened the door for survivors nationwide to hold corporate enablers accountable. Today, Babin Law represents approximately 40% of all hotel human trafficking cases nationwide, making us one of the most experienced firms in the country in this area of law.
The TVPA provides survivors with a powerful civil cause of action against anyone who knowingly benefits from a trafficking venture. This includes not only the traffickers themselves but also the hotels that rented rooms despite obvious signs of trafficking, the websites that facilitated advertisements, and any business that profited from the exploitation. Our track record demonstrates that aggressive civil litigation can succeed where other approaches fall short.
Fighting for justice in federal trafficking cases
Who Can Be Held Liable
Sex trafficking is enabled by a network of actors, and the law allows survivors to pursue claims against each of them. Under the TVPA and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2905, liable parties can include individual traffickers, hotel and motel operators who ignored red flags, online platforms that hosted trafficking advertisements, transportation companies, and landlords who rented properties for trafficking purposes.
Babin Law conducts thorough investigations to identify every entity in the trafficking chain. We work with law enforcement records, financial transaction histories, hotel surveillance data, and digital evidence to build comprehensive cases. Our experience litigating against major hospitality brands means we know how these companies operate, what evidence to target in discovery, and how to overcome the legal defenses they deploy. Every liable party is pursued to the fullest extent of the law.
75+
Years of combined legal experience
$0
Upfront cost to you — we work on contingency
Our attorneys have the trial experience and resources to take on insurance companies and corporate defendants. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Safety, Confidentiality, and Healing
Survivors of sex trafficking have endured unimaginable trauma, and we never lose sight of that reality. Our entire legal process is designed with survivor safety and confidentiality as the top priorities. We take extensive measures to protect our clients' identities, filing under pseudonyms when appropriate and seeking protective orders to shield sensitive information from public disclosure.
Beyond litigation, we connect survivors with organizations that provide comprehensive support — including safe housing, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and vocational training. Financial compensation from civil claims gives survivors the independence and resources to begin rebuilding their lives. At Babin Law, we believe every survivor deserves a legal team that combines fierce courtroom advocacy with genuine compassion, and we are honored to stand beside them in their pursuit of justice.
What to Do If You Are a Survivor of Sex Trafficking
If you have been sexually exploited through force, fraud, or coercion, you are not alone and you are not at fault. Your safety is the first priority, and there are people ready to help you right now.
Reach a Safe Place
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential, 24/7 assistance, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 (BEFREE). Trained specialists can help you create a safety plan and connect you with local shelter resources.
Know That You Will Not Be Punished
Many survivors fear arrest or deportation. Federal and Ohio law recognize that trafficking survivors are victims, not criminals. You may be eligible for a T-visa providing lawful immigration status, and Ohio law provides affirmative defenses for survivors charged with offenses committed as a result of being trafficked.
Seek Medical and Mental Health Support
Sex trafficking causes severe physical and psychological harm. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Medical documentation of your injuries and trauma also serves as critical evidence in any future legal action against your traffickers.
Preserve Evidence If You Can Do So Safely
Save any text messages, photos, social media communications, receipts, or documents that connect you to your trafficker. Hotel records, online advertisements, and financial transactions can all become powerful evidence in your civil case.
Contact Babin Law for a Free, Confidential Consultation
Babin Law is a national leader in civil sex trafficking litigation. Steven Babin is lead trial counsel on the first-ever TVPA case against major hotel brands, and our firm handles approximately 40% of all hotel trafficking cases nationwide. Your consultation is completely free, and everything you share is protected by attorney-client privilege.
Understanding Compensation in Sex Trafficking Cases
The federal TVPA and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2905 give survivors the right to pursue significant financial damages against every person and business that participated in or profited from their trafficking.
Severity and Duration of the Trafficking
The longer and more severe the exploitation, the greater the potential damages. Courts consider the total period of trafficking, the frequency of exploitation, and the degree of force, fraud, or coercion used to maintain control over the survivor.
Physical and Psychological Trauma
Survivors of sex trafficking commonly suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance dependency, and lasting physical injuries. Compensation covers past and future medical treatment, therapy, and the profound emotional suffering caused by the exploitation.
Punitive Damages Against Corporate Defendants
When hotels, online platforms, or other businesses knowingly benefit from sex trafficking, courts can impose punitive damages that far exceed compensatory awards. These damages punish corporate negligence and deter others from enabling trafficking in their operations.
Number and Financial Resources of Defendants
Babin Law identifies and pursues every liable party — individual traffickers, hotel chains, motel operators, transportation companies, and online platforms. Cases involving well-funded corporate defendants typically result in substantially higher recoveries for survivors.
Lost Income and Economic Opportunity
Trafficking robs survivors of years of earning potential, education, and career development. Compensation accounts for lost wages, diminished future earning capacity, and the economic opportunities stolen by the trafficking.
Attorneys' Fees and Costs
Under the TVPA, defendants who are found liable must pay the survivor's attorneys' fees and litigation costs. This ensures survivors can access top-tier legal representation without bearing the financial burden of fighting their traffickers in court.
Financial recovery in sex trafficking cases provides survivors with the independence and resources to reclaim their lives — securing safe housing, accessing long-term mental health care, and building a future defined by their own choices, not their exploitation.
Contact Babin Law today for a free, confidential consultation. We represent sex trafficking survivors on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sex Trafficking
Get answers to the questions our Columbus attorneys hear most from clients in sex trafficking cases.
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