During a week that media attention was focused on President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nomination Senate hearings, another US Senate hearing investigated Backpage, a Dallas-based classified ads website that displays advertisements for cars and furniture, as well as “escorts” and “body rubs.” The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released a report concluding that Backpage had knowingly […]
Washington State Supreme Court Rules Against BackPage in Sex Trafficking Case
In a 6-3 decision the state Supreme Court of Washington has ruled that three young girls may proceed with their civil lawsuit against the website BackPage. According to Justice Steven Gonzalez writing for the majority, “The plaintiffs before us have been the repeated victims of horrific acts committed in the shadows of the law. They […]
Beaverton City Council Compels Strip Club to Take Active Stance Against Child Sex Trafficking
Stars Cabaret, a Beaverton, Oregon strip club, has entered into a settlement agreement with the Beaverton City Council that requires the adult club to take measures against child sex trafficking. According to The Oregonian, the three year deal requires the strip club to have a “zero tolerance policy” regarding sex trafficking and prostitution. The strip […]
Oregon Child Trafficking Bills Die in State Senate
Oregon Senate Republicans recently sponsored two bills, SB 513 and SB 816, which would have strengthened state laws against child trafficking. Among other things, the bills proposed to raise the age a “child” covered by the “child trafficking” laws from 15 to 18, added advertising to the activities included in the scope of “child trafficking,” […]