By MARY PILON for The New York Times on January 30, 2014— “Just days before the kickoff of Super Bowl XLVIII, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman on Thursday announced charges against 18 people for operating a high-end prostitution and drug trafficking ring. The investigation began 11 months ago, but Mr. Schneiderman said the timing of … More 18 Charged With Operating Prostitution and Drug Ring
By Marina Lopes for Reuters on February 4, 2014— “Forty-five people were arrested and 16 juveniles rescued in a two-week crackdown on prostitution in the New York-New Jersey area leading up to last Sunday’s Super Bowl, Federal Bureau of Investigation officials said on Tuesday. The bureau said some of those arrested claimed they traveled to … More 45 Arrested, 16 Juveniles Rescued in Super Bowl Prostitution Bust
By Astrid Goh on January 22, 2014— When Marelyn Garcia met the man who would become her boyfriend, little did she know he would become the trigger to her heroin addiction, and eventually her pimp, after he coerced her into working the streets to fund their addiction. It was in a Chicago club one night … More CHICAGO: National Hub for Human Trafficking
By Stacy Nguyen for Northwest Asian Weekly on January 9, 2014— “On Dec. 15, Seattle natives Thuy Do and her husband, Jesse Robbins, met Linh Doan, director of One Body Village (OBV) in Cambodia. They had a long day ahead. They would visit two villages, where Do, a doctor, would be examining 30 patients. The … More SEATTLE: Couple Brings Medicine & Self Defense to Sex Abuse Victims in Vietnam
Johnson says public awareness is crucial and advises anyone who suspects they know a victim to call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline, at 888-373-7888. Public News Service on January 13, 2014— “In Illinois, thousands of girls and women, some as young as 12, are the victims of sex trafficking, and efforts are underway … More ILLINOIS: Efforts Made to Stop Those Fueling the Sex Trade
By Rachel Chinapen, New Haven Register, on January 30, 2014— “The first time Audrey Morrissey was picked up by a “John,” she got in the car to find a white male flashing his police badge in her face. Morrissey, then 16, wasn’t arrested. Instead, the officer requested a sexual favor in exchange for her freedom. … More CONNECTICUT: Social Workers Say Demand Is Driving Supply in Human Trafficking
By Luke Lavoie, llavoie@tribune.com, on January 30, 2014— “A transient man believed to be running sex trafficking operations in several states was arrested by Howard County police in connection with a drug activity and prostitution investigation at an Elkridge motel, according to a police press release Thursday. Philip Simmons, 37, of no fixed address, was … More MARYLAND: Man Arrested in Elkridge on Human Trafficking Charges
Posted on WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO on January 27, 2014— “Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, along with Terry Coonan of Florida State University’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, hosted the first anti-human trafficking workshop in Orlando on Monday. Bondi said human trafficking is a $32 billion business worldwide and that more than 27 … More FLORIDA: State Working with Business Leaders to Fight Human Trafficking
By Erica Rodriguez, Orlando Sentinel, January 25, 2014— “Standing behind a microphone wearing high heels and black-rimmed glasses, a woman named Octavis explained how she was just 13 when she began a life of prostitution. She told a crowd Saturday at Lake Eola Park about her childhood as a habitual runaway who bounced back and … More ORLANDO: Human Trafficking Survivor Shares Life Story to Help ‘Victims Become Survivors’
By Katie Zezima and Samantha Henry for The Associated Press on January 23— “Law enforcement agents in New Jersey have redoubled efforts to fight what they worry could be one of the biggest menaces to come with next month’s Super Bowl: sex trafficking. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to descend on New Jersey … More NEW JERSEY Works to Curb Sex Trafficking Before Super Bowl
HUMAN RIGHTS SOCIETY 