AP reports “345 arrested, kids rescued in prostitution busts” in five day arrest binge

“345 arrested, kids rescued in prostitution busts,” that’s the headline from the Associated Press this evening. But when you read the article it turns out even though it’s framed as

Hundreds of people have been arrested and 21 children rescued in what the FBI is calling a five-day roundup of networks of pimps who force children into prostitution.

that 290 of those arrests are adults who are alleged to sell sex for money themselves. So how is that about arrests of pimps who presumably made up the other 55 arrests? Or maybe the youth were arrested too and those numbers are included. That’s highly likely considering the past actions of local and federal law enforcement. More from the article:

Since 2003, 308 pimps and hookers have been convicted in state and federal courts of forcing youngsters into prostitution, and 433 child victims have been rescued, Mueller said.

The cities targeted in this week’s sting are: Atlanta; Boston; Dallas; Detroit; Houston; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Miami; Montgomery County, Md.; Oakland, Calif.; Phoenix; Reno, Nev.; Sacramento, Calif.; Tampa; Toledo, Ohio and Washington.

I haven’t had the chance to post yet about the Allied Media Conference but one major theme of the conference was to challenge corporate media, especially the news and support communities to make our own media and report our own news. I’ve been increasingly uncomfortable with posting news items I find online about teens in the sex trade because they are so often like this article - covering up more than they reveal.

Ask yourself why someone who is 19 years old is supposed to be convicted of federal sex trafficking laws and someone who is 16 doing the same thing is portrayed needing to be rescued? Mind you, she’ll most likely end up in jail too on a material witness hold or charges to hold her in detention.

This is dangerous territory we’re in. This is nothing to celebrate.

4 Comments

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Victoria Marinelli, June 25, 2008:

Really digging the “pimps and hookers” phrasing there. You know, because they’re so equivalent and should be lumped together and OMFG this crap makes me furious.
Claudine, June 25, 2008:

Seriously. This is where the feds are taking this: arresting adults who are being pimped themselves and hoping they’ll turn state’s evidence against other people.
SWOP-Las Vegas, June 26, 2008:

Thank you for your commentary, Claudine. This is simply outrageous! It is so hypocritical- as you pointed out, if you’re 18 you’re a dirty whore criminal, if you’re below 18 you’re a “victim.” I do despair sometimes.
laurajanine, July 1, 2008:

I saw this BS too–it’s on my enormous list of “to blog” news. Stupid LJ, blocked at work!!

It just reinforces the conversation that you and I keep having, which is that existing laws and more laws don’t really protect the people that law enforcement authorities suggest they do.