ASK THE DA: Combating sex trafficking

I recently read that pimps are using the web toadvertise prostitution rather than having the girls on the street.The article that I read explained that the average age at which agirl is forced into prostitution is 12 to 14. Is this a concern inour community?

Sadly, sex trafficking can happen anywhere including right herein our own borough. This crime involves forcing women and childreninto the sex trade through psychological and physical coercion,including beatings, starvation, confinement and forced druguse.

My office is unique in that it has a specialized prosecutorialbureau to deal with crimes of this nature. This unit works closelywith the police and other groups to prosecute sex traffickers. Wehave indicted several sex traffickers this year that are beingvigorously prosecuted.

Additionally, my specialized group of prosecutors has workedtirelessly to raise awareness about sex trafficking and itspotential signs, and also provides comprehensive services tovictims. We continue to promote our campaign against sextrafficking with posters, flyers and PSAs featuring actresses SarahJessica Parker and Sabourney Gidibe.

Also, several months ago, my Sex Trafficking Unit kicked offBrooklyn GIVE (Girls Initiative for Victim Empowerment), an ongoingdonation drive which supplies clothing and toiletries to girls andyoung women trying to escape a life of forced prostitution.Businesses that have donated to the program include Tommy Hilfiger,Fashion Delivers, The Body Shop, Park Slope Parents and WholeFoods.

We must put an end to this horrific crime. Educating the public andwarning parents about potential predators is an important step inthis direction. For further information please visitwww.brooklynda.org, or contact the 24-hour Sex Trafficking UnitHotline (718) 250-2770.

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