Massage Parlor

Massage Parlors are businesses that offer massage services, typically for relaxation or therapeutic purposes. However, some massage parlors may also be fronts for illicit activities, including human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation. In some cases, massage parlors may be used as a form of commercial sexual exploitation, where individuals are forced or coerced into providing sexual services in exchange for money.

Traffickers may use massage parlors as a way to control and exploit vulnerable individuals, often women from marginalized communities. These individuals may be promised legitimate employment or work visas, only to be forced into prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation once they arrive at the massage parlor. Massage parlors may also be used as a way to transport victims across borders for exploitation.

Efforts to combat human trafficking in massage parlors have focused on increased regulation and oversight of these businesses. This may include requiring massage parlors to be licensed, mandating background checks for employees, and implementing regular inspections to ensure compliance with labor and trafficking laws. Law enforcement agencies may also conduct targeted investigations and stings to identify and arrest traffickers operating out of massage parlors.

At the same time, it is important to recognize that not all massage parlors are involved in human trafficking, and that many legitimate massage therapists and businesses provide important services to their communities. Efforts to address trafficking in massage parlors must be carefully balanced with efforts to support and promote responsible and ethical businesses in this sector. This may include providing training and resources to massage therapists and business owners to help them identify and respond to signs of trafficking, as well as promoting awareness and education about the issue among consumers and the general public.

 

 

Blackburn Center continues to expand Red Sand Project, drawing awareness to human trafficking
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Blackburn Center continues to expand Red Sand Project, drawing awareness to human trafficking

Sep. 18—Throughout September, Westmoreland County residents may have noticed red sand filling in the sidewalk cracks at prominent locations such as Independence Health System hospitals, the county courthouse, local libraries and Seton Hill University. A sign accompanying the bright red sand notes that it is part of the Red Sand Project, a nationwide initiative to…

Former freelancer for Exitus calls CEO ‘con artist’
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Former freelancer for Exitus calls CEO ‘con artist’

Editor’s note: we have colleagues that work with Exitus and this is heartbreaking. We are reporting the news; not taking sides. You need to know what is happening in the news. SALT LAKE CITY — A former freelancer for an anti-human trafficking organization whose founder is now in jail on fraud charges, is calling Exitus…

5 Cumberland County massage parlors busted in human trafficking sting
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5 Cumberland County massage parlors busted in human trafficking sting

Complaints from the public led police to investigate the five massage parlors and discover that they were all connected to Min Dong. CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — One person was arrested yesterday in a human trafficking investigation that linked five Cumberland County massage parlors offering illegal services, the county’s District Attorney’s office announced. OPERATION: Closed2Trafficking sought…

Prevention Cohort LIVE Ep 8: HTE: Chapter 2: Prevalence, “What is Human Trafficking?” blog on Radical Empathy, Discussion about creating an online safety course for the game industry
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Prevention Cohort LIVE Ep 8: HTE: Chapter 2: Prevalence, “What is Human Trafficking?” blog on Radical Empathy, Discussion about creating an online safety course for the game industry

Welcome to the Prevention Cohort LIVE stream, sponsored by PBJ Learning Today, we go over the Prevalence of Human Trafficking, from Chapter 2 of Human Trafficking Essentials. We go over the interactive sections and I share some of the “why” the course is written and designed the way it is. Our second section is a…

UH Hobby School research highlights community importance, human trafficking in Houston, and more on Houston Newsmakers
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UH Hobby School research highlights community importance, human trafficking in Houston, and more on Houston Newsmakers

IN THIS EPISODE: Host Khambrel Marshall sits down with the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to identify the importance of Hispanics in our community. Human trafficking is a major problem in Houston. The United Against Human Trafficking organization investigates how wide the impact is in the…

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…

Human Trafficking is Modern-Day Slavery That Can Happen Just Around the Corner, Say Advocates for Victims – The Tablet
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Human Trafficking is Modern-Day Slavery That Can Happen Just Around the Corner, Say Advocates for Victims – The Tablet

Portuguese maritime police investigate one of two sites where hundreds of human trafficking victims, mostly migrants from Southeast Asia, were found near Lisbon June 21, 2023. (OSV News photo/Miguel Pereira, Reuters) LONDON (OSV News) — Human trafficking doesn’t happen only in far away places where human rights are neglected. It happens around the corner. It’s…

‘Sound of Freedom’ film is a good conversation starter, but there is more to say
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‘Sound of Freedom’ film is a good conversation starter, but there is more to say

Earlier this month, the movie Sound of Freedom was released and brought human trafficking to the forefront of many viewers’ minds. As an organization deeply committed to meeting the needs of survivors, Mosaic Family Services is glad to see that this movie has grown attention and sparked concern for human trafficking, but it’s important we…

Dallas, Houston and San Antonio lead in human trafficking cases in Texas
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Dallas, Houston and San Antonio lead in human trafficking cases in Texas

Human trafficking awareness advocates are reminding the public of signs of human trafficking, after a woman was discovered hiding in a Houston airport for 10 days. DALLAS — Days after the news that a Houston airport staffer helped a girl hiding in a terminal for 10 days, human trafficking awareness advocates are reminding the public…