Nationwide, more than 500 law enforcement officials took part in sting operations in hotels, casinos, truck stops and other areas frequented by pimps, prostitutes and their customers. In one case, the operation rescued a 14-year-old girl who was being trafficked for sex on Colfax Avenue by a known gang member.
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Twenty teenagers, the youngest just 13 years old, were safe after being rescued from a life of prostitution across metro Denver last week.
“While the arrest of the offender has an immediate result, only recovering a child can offer him or her an opportunity to begin to accept services necessary to begin the healing process and restore a sense of normalcy”, said Special Agent in Charge Monica M. Miller of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Sacramento field office in a press release.
Dave McCleary is part of Rotary International’s efforts to combat human trafficking.
About one in six of the children reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children are trapped in sexual slavery, the agency reported, up from one in seven in 2013.
Despite the role of modern technology, experts say traffickers still target vulnerable children, including those placed in a local child welfare system, runaways and victims of trauma, abuse or drug addiction.
“We didn’t encounter a juvenile this time, although there were several juveniles encountered statewide, which is why it’s important we establish this and continue to move forward”, Campbell Police Chief Drew Gavrilos said. “It’s all about money”. When ABC7 News was embedded with the operation two years ago, we met a 13-year-old who was so scared that she began hyperventilating. Over 4,800 children have been rescued from underage prostitution.
Patton said the victims are receiving care.
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Actions like the FBI’s sting this past month are important to tackle the industry, he said. “It also helps with awareness”.
