A Sunday Conversation with Dr. Brett Murphy Dawson of Micah's Promise

Human Trafficking in Columbus: “Every Missing Child Is a Community Crisis”

Human trafficking is not an abstract problem happening somewhere else. It is present in Columbus, hiding in plain sight — in schools, online spaces, unstable homes and moments of vulnerability. In this expanded Sunday Conversation, Dr. Brett Murphy Dawson, Education & Outreach Coordinator speaks candidly about how trafficking actually happens, why language and urgency matter, and what Columbus must do differently to protect its children. This conversation is printed with clarity and purpose. No sugarcoating. No sensationalism. Just truth.

 Q: Dr. Dawson, for the record, tell our readers who you are and how you came into this work.

Dawson: My name is Dr. Brett Murphy Dawson. My background is in child-focused care, prevention and advocacy. Early in my career, particularly while working in medical and community-based settings, I kept seeing the same devastating pattern: children who had already experienced sexual abuse were far more likely to be exploited later. Around the early 2000s, that realization shifted my focus. I understood that if we truly wanted to stop trafficking, we had to intervene before exploitation occurred. That led me into child sexual abuse prevention work and, eventually, to Micah’s Promise. Our mission is rooted in Micah 6:8 — to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly — and we do that through education, advocacy and restoration.

Q: From your vantage point, how serious is the issue of missing children and trafficking in Columbus right now?

Dawson: It is extremely serious. One of the most damaging things we do is minimize the crisis with language. When we label children as “runaways,” it implies choice — that they willingly left and can simply return. Most missing children are not choosing freedom. They are running from abuse, neglect, instability or rejection, or running toward someone who is grooming them. These children are endangered. Every single one of them. When we fail to recognize that urgency, we delay response — and delay puts lives at risk.

Q: How soon should a missing child be reported? There’s still confusion about waiting periods.

Dawson: There should be no confusion. A child should be reported missing immediately. There is no 24- or 48-hour waiting period. Federal law requires that missing children be entered into national databases promptly — within 24 hours at the latest — and law enforcement should treat every missing child as endangered until proven otherwise. Time is critical. The longer a child is missing, the more vulnerable they become to exploitation.

Q: We often focus on girls. What about boys?

Dawson: Boys are just as vulnerable — and in some cases even more vulnerable — because society assumes they can protect themselves. That belief silences them. Boys are trafficked. Boys are sexually exploited. Boys experience trauma. Yet they are less likely to be identified, believed or supported. We cannot protect children if we only protect half of them.

Q: Many people picture trafficking as kidnappings or abductions. Is that accurate?

Dawson: Not usually. Stranger abductions are rare. Trafficking typically involves grooming, manipulation and coercion. Exploiters identify children with unmet needs — food, shelter, attention, affirmation, money, love — and they offer those things. Over time, the child becomes dependent. This can happen online, at school, in group homes, within families or through peers. Trafficking is built on trust before it is built on control.

Q: How has social media changed the threat level?

Dawson: Social media and online gaming have changed everything. Children as young as 10 or 11 — sometimes younger — are being groomed through apps, games and messaging platforms. This means trafficking is no longer confined to certain neighborhoods or backgrounds. Any child with a phone or internet access is at risk. Exploiters no longer have to physically search for children — children are accessible 24/7 online.

Q: What age groups are most at risk locally?

Dawson: The average age range we see is between 11 and 14. However, trafficking spans all ages. In cases of familial trafficking — where exploitation occurs within the family — children can be five years old or younger. Those situations are particularly devastating because the child’s primary source of safety is also the source of harm.

Q: What exactly does Micah’s Promise do in Columbus and the region?

Dawson: Our work falls into three core areas:

• Education: We provide prevention training for schools, churches, healthcare providers, parents, youth and community organizations. Preventing child sexual abuse is key because nearly 90% of trafficked children were previously abused.
• Advocacy: We support victims and survivors, often working alongside law enforcement and service providers.
• Restoration: We help survivors access trauma-informed counseling, housing, medical care and long-term support.

Our goal is not just rescue — it is healing and prevention.

Q: Do families and individuals reach out to you directly?

Dawson:: Yes. Parents, survivors and concerned friends contact us regularly. We also work with adults who were trafficked as children and are now dealing with long-term consequences — substance use, mental health challenges, incarceration. When we intervene early, we can prevent decades of trauma.

Q: What warning signs should schools and educators be watching for?

Dawson: Behavioral changes are often the first indicators: declining grades, frequent absences, exhaustion, withdrawal, new older friends, unexplained money or gifts, and secretive phone use. It’s important to note that most trafficked children are still attending school — especially in the early stages. Educators, bus drivers, counselors and administrators are often the first line of defense.

Q: Where does the system still fall short in Columbus?

Dawson: Urgency and perception. When missing children aren’t treated as critically endangered, response slows. Language matters because it shapes action. We also need continued collaboration — law enforcement, advocates, media, schools, healthcare providers — working as a unified team instead of in silos.

Q: What role can Black media and community institutions play?

Dawson:: Black media has tremendous power. You can shift the narrative from shame to protection, from silence to awareness. Focus on prevention, resources and accountability — not victim-blaming. Consistent education, not just awareness-month coverage, saves lives.

Q: Is there anything giving you hope right now?

Dawson: Yes. Recent trainings with law enforcement and prosecutors are already making a difference. Officers are recognizing trafficking indicators during routine encounters and calling advocates for support. That tells me progress is happening — slowly, but meaningfully.

Q: What is your urgent message to parents and community leaders?

Dawson: Talk to your children — regularly and honestly. Let them know there is nothing they can experience that will make you turn away from them. Identify safe adults. Stay engaged. And understand this is not an individual problem. It is a community responsibility.

Q: Final thought?

Dawson: Every missing child is a community crisis. When we respond with urgency, compassion and coordination, we can prevent exploitation and restore lives.

For training, prevention resources or support services, contact Micah’s Promise.