It is thought that Seattle and Portland are major hubs for child sex trafficking in the United States. While there has been a great deal of focus on these cities, particularly after the infamous 2010 FBI raid, it is difficult to say with certainty where the problem is because of the clandestine nature of the crime. It is very difficult to compare cities because there is no consistent methodology for measuring. What is clear, however, is that access to technology and increasing gang involvement are driving more young girls into prostitution in cities such as Portland and Seattle that attract young people.
Authorities list a few reasons why Seattle's sex trafficking problem may be worse than in other parts of the country:
Authorities list a few reasons why Seattle's sex trafficking problem may be worse than in other parts of the country:
- there is a major sex trafficking highway running from Mexico, through California, Oregon, and Washington, and then up to Canada
- the city’s famously robust homeless youth population is a beacon for opportunists on the hunt for desperate kids
- there is a major sex trafficking highway running from Mexico, through California, Oregon, and Washington, and then up to Canada
- Seattle's status as a port city, where sailors often seek out prostitutes
- proximity to the border with Canada, where prostitution is legal and sex trafficking thrives
- a decades' long historical pattern of sex trafficking to California and Nevada
Historically, Seattle has had extremely lax laws and penalties for the exploiters and predators. This changed in late 2010:
Before the law change, customers paid a $550 fine for soliciting sex. Now they face 21 months to 12 years in jail and a $5,000 fine, which will be deposited in a special prostitution prevention and intervention account.
• Under the old law, pimps were not subject to a fine. Now they face nearly 8 to 26 ½ years in jail and a $5,000 fine.
• Buyers of prostitution previously could say they did not know the age of the victim. That is no longer a defense. Defendants have to prove a reasonable attempt was made to determine the true age of the victim.
• A child-sex-trafficking victim charged with a crime previously may have been ineligible for crime-victim's compensation because of participating in the crime of prostitution. Under the new law, a minor is considered a victim and can receive benefits through a compensation program.
Van der Voo, L., & Smith, C. (2011). Prostitution of children in Seattle mushrooms, while Portland's reputation suffers. Investigate West.
Federal Bureau of INvestigation news link:
Van der Voo, L., & Smith, C. (2011). Prostitution of children in Seattle mushrooms, while Portland's reputation suffers. Investigate West.
Federal Bureau of INvestigation news link:
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