Human-trafficking sweep leads to 153 prostitution-related arrests and rescue of 10 sex-trafficking victims
Los Angeles Times
By Erica Evans
August 17, 2016
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… “Human trafficking continues to plague our society and victimize our youth,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement.
Eight of the sex-trafficking victims were minors between the ages of 15 and 17, and two were adults, police said. Nine were female and one was male.
The recovered youth were placed in protective custody and are receiving assistance from the Department of Children and Family Services as well as outreach groups such as Saving Innocence and the Dream Center.
Los Angeles Police Officer Tim Stack, who helped coordinate the operation, said children who get involved in prostitution usually come from unstable homes where they’ve experience sexual abuse or family violence.
“The people trafficking these young girls are master manipulators, looking specifically for girls in need of a father figure or a provider,” Stack said. “They make them believe they will lead a glamorous lifestyle and make a lot of money, but that’s nowhere near the truth.” …
