Unfortunately the public doesn't seem to get that human trafficking isn't even remotely the same thing as prostitution. Most human trafficking has to do with forced labor, not prostitution.
Also, it's some bullshit that if you're a working girl you just get a stern talking to about your life choices and if you're a guy looking to hire said girl you get your ass thrown in jail. Apply that logic to any other bought/sold illicit good and it falls apart rather quickly.And see, here's the thing, I'm all for getting pederass's off the street and ideally below ground, same goes for people forcing people to sell themselves. These are real issues that deserve tax dollars, but instead they get spent rounding up backpage girls who don't screen... It's just sick.
Today's local section leading story:
"38 Human-trafficking arrests in S.D."
Does that make you think that many minors were rescued from sexual slavery? That's the idea in using "human trafficking" rather than "prostitution".
Let's look at the numbers in the article:
38 total arrests, consisting of:
22 men charged with "solicitation for prostitution"
8 females arrested for "suspicion of prostitution"
6 men arrested for other reasons (drug, weapons)
What's the total so far.....?
36 arrests for the "old fashioned" stuff....out of 38. What's left?
"Two victions were rescued in San Diego County, including a 16-year-old girl."
So.....math majors:
38 arrests resulting in one 16-year-old being rescued.
The UT's headline-writer did not even get the math correct. 38 arrests, but six were arrested for "other reasons".
Important items in the article:
1) This was the "third annual effort"; watch for the fourth effort.
2) "Fake ads were posted online offering sex for money, and when the buyers showed up to make the transactions, they were met by law enforcement."
[It was pretty obvious that some of the recent ads were "fake"; looking at cl and bp ads regularly makes the fake ones more obvious.]
3) "More than 160 personnel from 18 law enforcement agencies...participated in the operation in San Diego County." [Your tax dollars at work.]
4) The Chief Deputy District Attorney, who has already announced she will run for District Attorney in 2018, leads the effort. You can read the article for her catchy quotes...obvious that they will be the stuff of coming TV ads.
Any connection between her leading the expenditure of tax dollars and her political future?
Lesson: rely on TER.....
you won't be helping them waste tax dollars.
Your analysis is correct. This is hardly a "human trafficking" bust. Just your average everyday LE sting. I agree with your admonishment: Use TER to vet your providers.
Nice work.
Unfortunately the public doesn't seem to get that human trafficking isn't even remotely the same thing as prostitution. Most human trafficking has to do with forced labor, not prostitution.
Also, it's some bullshit that if you're a working girl you just get a stern talking to about your life choices and if you're a guy looking to hire said girl you get your ass thrown in jail. Apply that logic to any other bought/sold illicit good and it falls apart rather quickly.
And see, here's the thing, I'm all for getting pederass's off the street and ideally below ground, same goes for people forcing people to sell themselves. These are real issues that deserve tax dollars, but instead they get spent rounding up backpage girls who don't screen... It's just sick.