Commercial Sex Act

Commercial Sex Act: Any sex act on account of which anything of value is given to or received by any person.

For Virginia survivors, the scars of human trafficking may include a criminal record they can’t erase
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For Virginia survivors, the scars of human trafficking may include a criminal record they can’t erase

After that, rape became a regular part of her life. But landlords and employers don’t see the years Holmes spent as a human trafficking victim. They just see the litany of charges — including identity theft and drug possession — that came about as a …

Warrants tie North Augusta massage businesses to prostitution, human trafficking
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Warrants tie North Augusta massage businesses to prostitution, human trafficking

Six North Augusta massage businesses searched during an Aug. 16 raid are suspected of allowing — even encouraging — prostitution and commercial sex activities, and they may be involved in human trafficking, according to search warrants. The investigation is ongoing, and the result of the searches is largely redacted from warrants. Each business had the same finding:…

Northwestern Cheerleader Sex Trafficking Suit Survives Motion To Dismiss
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Northwestern Cheerleader Sex Trafficking Suit Survives Motion To Dismiss

EVANSTON, IL — A former Northwestern University cheerleader who says she suffered sexual assaults and sexual harassment at the hands of wealthy donors to the athletic department can continue her lawsuit against the university and several current and former school officials. Harden Richardson, 24, joined the cheerleading team in 2018 after transferring to Northwestern as…

‘Human traffickers don’t care what you look like’
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‘Human traffickers don’t care what you look like’

Human trafficking in real life isn’t what movies make it out to be. There’s no superhero coming to save the day dramatically. It doesn’t just happen in foreign countries, it happens in the United States. It just doesn’t happen in big cities, it happens in communities like Fort Morgan and Brush, too. Anyone can become…

Research Urges More Sex Trafficking Training in Healthcare
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Research Urges More Sex Trafficking Training in Healthcare

Victims’ agency and needs, independent of their desire to exit trafficking, should be the focus of healthcare services for individuals who have been sexually exploited, concludes a new study by researchers with McGill University’s Ingram School of Nursing (ISoN). “Unfortunately, we found a lack of awareness on the part of healthcare professionals and the inability…

Human trafficking: A network of crime hidden across a vast American landscape
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Human trafficking: A network of crime hidden across a vast American landscape

When Bekah Charleston was first targeted as a human trafficking victim, there were no whips, chains or white vans — just a kind face and a fake name who offered her a safe place to stay. As a 17-year-old Texas runaway, Charleston thought she was finding safe haven from drug dealers she had gotten involved…

Prevention Cohort LIVE Ep 6: AMP Model Discussion; Social Media “Human Trafficking Panic” Posts
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Prevention Cohort LIVE Ep 6: AMP Model Discussion; Social Media “Human Trafficking Panic” Posts

Come learn about new tools to end human trafficking through prevention education. We go through the AMP Model to teach the definition.

Eight arrested by State Police in Springfield human trafficking bust
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Eight arrested by State Police in Springfield human trafficking bust

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Eight men from across Illinois are under arrest following an Illinois State Police operation to combat human trafficking in the Springfield area. State Police officials said the operation happened Aug. 9 and 10 and it was focused on identifying people seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. As a…

Social Media “Human Trafficking Panic” Posts
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Social Media “Human Trafficking Panic” Posts

How often do you see posts about some bizarre situation that might lead to human trafficking? We’ve seen enough of them to have an entire series on them. I was invited to answer some questions by a reporter, but their outlet shut down before they completed the article. Here are the answers I sent in!…