 We monitor and fact check media coverage of human trafficking and will share the top cases with you from each week. A broad view of what is happening across the country can be translated into action, allowing us to collectively change the system and the public narrative. |
 We appreciate the recent focus on child sex trafficking on social media, but let’s make sure we’re leaning on the facts and real cases. Nevada Las Vegas man charged with sex trafficking teens faces judge He was arrested in May after police said he trafficked or tried to traffic five teenage girls and a teenage boy — ages 13 to 17 — for sex. He also is accused of attempting to persuade three of the minors under the age of 16 to perform sex acts with him. Pennsylvania West York Police accuse a woman in sex trafficking of 13-year-old Lenee Lynn Rivera, 25 will be charged with two counts of trafficking in minors, one count of aggravated indecent assault, four counts of promoting prostitution and one count of corruption of a minor. The victim was exploited at Manchester Township motel and at a home in West Manchester Township. Washington Kent man charged with sex trafficking of a juvenile The girl has developmental delays, and unbeknownst to her guardian, had set up a Facebook account. Using Facebook Messenger, Brooks communicated with the girl about her interest in music and writing songs. Brooks’ communication led the girl to believe he could promote her in the music business.We often have a predisposed idea as to what a trafficker looks like, and sometimes it isn’t what we think. Sometimes the exploiters are high powered or well-known members of our communities. Colorado Two Fort Carson staff sergeants charged in child prostitution sting One solder has been in the Army for 15 years, another has been in for more than five years. Both soldiers served in Iraq, according to their military records. Wang also served in Afghanistan. Pennsylvania Family Counselor In Westmoreland Co. Facing Sex Trafficking And Child Sexual Abuse Charges Police say 59 years old Gregory Miscik sexually abused some of his own young clients.That alleged victim, a 16-year-old, was soon joined by a 13-year-old who made similar accusations against the doctor.  Massage parlor trafficking is an insidious form of trafficking that is incredibly organized and difficult to eradicate across the nation. Ohio Akron massage business accused of being prostitution front, police said The women “coming into the business and staying for long periods of time” could be an indicator that they are being rotated through parlors and living on-site. Their movement is likely controlled by the trafficking operatives, and they may be tightly controlled by debt bondage, fear, and shame. Their immigration documents may be confiscated, they may be threatened with harm to their families if they speak up.  We cannot arrest potential victims and then expect their cooperation in criminal cases. These arrests also create an environment in which their options are limited, often leaving them stuck with their traffickers; these victims often cannot obtain housing, livable wages, and other basic needs with arrests and convictions on their records. Florida Operation ‘Low Tide’ brings undercover operation to Palm Beach oceanfront hotel Even if these women are not being human trafficked currently, these arrests have created additional vulnerability for them. These are vulnerabilities that traffickers target and will eagerly exploit. Worse, if the women you mentioned in the article were being trafficked then they have already gone through horrible exploitation and arresting them only adds to their trauma.  We are thrilled to announce that our CEO, Rochelle Keyhan, is joining the 2021 Roddenberry Fellows cohort and is being recognized for her innovative, impactful work in the fight against human trafficking. The Roddenberry Foundation is committed to finding and supporting remarkable people and organizations who can disrupt existing dynamics, challenge old patterns of thought, and discover new ways to help us move towards a better future.  JOIN US >> |