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
Students from Jefferson Township High School created a series of videos highlighting the prostitution and sex slave industry associated with the Super Bowl. (Courtesy of Jenn Krakowski) By Peggy McGlone for The Star-Ledger on January 26, 2014— “They consider themselves modern day abolitionists, focused on human trafficking, prostitution and the sexual exploitation of teenagers around … More NEW JERSEY: Students Speak Out Against Super Bowl Sex Trade
By Beth Jacobs, for My Turn, on January 22, 2014— “Imagine that a young woman is kidnapped as she walks home from work. Her kidnapper threatens her life and forces her to rob a convenience store. Should she be charged with theft and held legally accountable for her actions? Put this way, it is clear … More Former Sex Slave: “Arizona Can Do More to Stop Abuse”
Compiled by Kevin Siers for The Charlotte Observer on January 2, 2014— “From Tiffany Barclay, a University of Southern California graduate student who lives in Mooresville: According to the FBI, sex trafficking of adults and children is the “fastest growing business of organized crime, and the third largest criminal enterprise in the world.” An estimated … More NORTH CAROLINA—Estimated to Be in the Top 8 States for Human Trafficking in the U.S.
By Ivy Suriyopas, for theguardian.com, on January 20, 2014— ” Under the guise of improving laws against trafficking, states around the country are pushing policies that raise penalties for patronizing prostitution. This January, Human Trafficking Awareness Month, it’s time we faced the facts that these efforts will ultimately fail to protect trafficking victims. First, let’s … More More Penalties for Prostitution Won’t Help Victims of Human Trafficking
HUMAN RIGHTS SOCIETY 