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Sex Trafficking removed from Backpage

On 10 January 2017 the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations from within the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, released a staff report “Backpage.com’s knowing facilitation of online sex trafficking” (Full report -> Backpage Report 2017.01.10 FINAL)  Shortly thereafter, Backpage.com abruptly shutdown it’s Adult-section ads, siting overwhelming pressure caused by the committee’s report. The report shared, what those of us who …

Sex Trafficking & Exploitation – 2012 – Village Voice

Today I opened up the NY Times web page to see Nicholas D. Kristoff’s piece “Where Pimps Peddle Their Goods” which speaks to how Village Voice Media accepts advertising on their websites which offers lightly veiled solicitations for the services of “escorts” and the like, both male and female. The reality is that this is unvarnished advertising by pimps who have exerted control over individuals whom they force to prostitute themselves.

In reading Kristoff’s piece, I was particularly taken back by this portion, “Liz McDougall, general counsel of Village Voice Media, told me that it is “shortsighted, ill-informed and counterproductive”