- Texas Governor Rick Perry held a press conference yesterday calling for tougher laws against human traffickers, saying: “Human trafficking preys on the hopes and the dreams of the victims. They get promised better lives, not just for themselves but for their families. Unfortunately what awaits the victims is a life of confinement, hard labor, prostitution, physical and mental abuse, and in far too many cases an early death. Human trafficking is simply modern day slave trade.” Perry also says he will make $500,000 available to Texas cities and counties to help victims of human trafficking. Video of his press conference is here.
- CNN: Selling sex? Confronting Craigslist: This video report investigates the extent of juvenile sex trafficking done through Craigslist. A representative from DC-based anti-trafficking organization Fair Fund is quoted: “Most of the young people we work with who have been exploited online, they talk about Craigslist, they don’t talk about the other sites. Craigslist is the Walmart of online sex trafficking in this country… when they are being exploited by a pimp or a trafficker… the trafficker is keeping the money.”
- Guardian: Emma Thompson presents: Fair Trade: “If anyone doubts that young women are being brought to the UK and sold into sexual slavery, then this show based on the true experience of two women will change minds. Indeed, we’re all implicated…”
- Toronto Sun: Group fears child traffickers onboard Tamil boat: “OTTAWA—World Vision Canada is calling on the federal government to crack down on any child traffickers who might be on board the Sri Lankan Tamil boat that landed Friday in British Columbia. The aid agency says Canada is known as a haven for child trafficking, both as a transit hub and a destination country.”