On ‘Radio Times:’ Sex trafficking and law enforcement
A 'john' who attempted to pick up an officer posing as a prostitute is escorted in handcuffs to a command post to be ticketed during a prostitution sting in Cicero, Ill. on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Scott Eisen)
A young woman who was sex-trafficked at Philadelphia’s Roosevelt Motor Inn when she was just 14 years old is suing the motel.
Under a recent Pennsylvania law, victims of trafficking can seek compensation from hotels that profit, directly or indirectly, from the illegal sex trade.
Today, Marty Moss-Coane talked with Shea Rhodes, director and co-founder of the Villanova Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation; Jamie Manirakiza, director of anti-trafficking and social services for the Salvation Army; and Erin O’Brien, assistant district attorney for the City of Philadelphia about the steps advocates and law enforcement are taking to protect sex-trafficking victims.
In this clip, Marty asked O’Brien about the various “hotspots” for trafficking in the Philadelphia region:
“What we’re seeing is hotels near the city, hotels near airports where there are sporting events,” O’Brien said. “There a stretch of Route One in Northeast Philadelphia where we see a number of hotels come into play during investigations.”
Listen to Monday’s discussion about the ways organizations and agencies are protecting sex traffic victims.
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