Monday, June 17, 2013
Weather
Sex Trafficking of Native Women, Girls and Boys in Alaska IncreasingPolice and social workers say it’s the vulnerability of a child that attracts the attention of sex traffickers.Related Content
During a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs meeting on Thursday, Sen. Lisa Murkowski questioned officials from the Department of Justice about the growing problem of Native youth exploited in the sex trade.
At the meeting the senator said, “We have had some really frightening instances where young women coming into town, coming in from the villages, are basically being picked up off the street and lost—gone for ever into these sex trafficking rings.” But detectives with the Anchorage Police Department and social workers say that children of all races, ages, and backgrounds are potential targets. Typically, it’s the vulnerability of a child that attracts the attention of sex traffickers. Detective Sergeant Kathy Lacey of the APD Vice Squad said sex traffickers are everywhere. “They're at malls, they're at the bus stations… they're on the streets of your town…that's what surprises people,” she explained. Even children staying at “safe houses” are targets of sex trafficking, including those who live at the Anchorage branch of Covenant House Alaska, an organization that helps homeless teenagers. Lauren Rice, its director of public affairs, said that children staying with them have been approached in the past but that it is important to realize that it’s not just homeless children and teens who are at risk. “Recruitment of youth is going to occur wherever youth congregate. There are vulnerable kids in churches, in schools [and] in after school programs,” Rice said. Lacey said that a first step to combating the problem is to be aware that it exists. “A lot of it is just knowing that it’s out there. People need to know that this is going on right in their neighborhoods.” If you or someone you know is a part of the sex trade and are seeking help, you can contact police at 786-8900. |
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
|
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
Houston said on Saturday, Jul 16 at 8:15 PM
The sad part of the senario is that alcohol is every bit as addictive as drugs, and Natives are ten times more vulnerable to alcohol, and will do anything to get it. I have been in several bars and been approached by Native women who was will ing to do anything for another drink. And YES Sex traffickers will take advantage in a heartbeat.
70819711Stephan G. Patterson said on Saturday, Jul 16 at 8:17 PM
A million praises to Senator Lisa and to Detective Kathy Lacey for trying to protect these vulnerable kids,.... And damn you bastards who prey upon these children. Everyone of us must keep our eyes open and be ready to call the cops when we see these children in danger.
70819767Wes said on Sunday, Jul 17 at 12:45 AM
This is a truly frightening practice. The potentially deadly consequences of unprotected sex (which is very likely to happen when alcohol is involved), is of great concern. Young people, while they are told about dangerous STDs, don't have the very real concept of death. I'd think that with cameras and plain cloths detectives patrolling areas where potential contact is normally made should make it easier to pickup intelligence. I wonder if law enforcement has considered using retired people as volunteers to watch and review tapes of these areas to pick up on repeat visitors of a suspicious nature. I know there are many trustworthy retirees who would gladly lend a hand at no cost to what in effect will help protect their grand children and other kids from predators. something to think about, anyway.
70824229Rick C said on Sunday, Jul 17 at 7:36 AM
If we want to protect our people in this day and age petition the government to bring these people to their knees we need to be able to punish them with extreme prejudice maybe to the extent of the death penalty.I personally believe that we should bring back public stocks in the middle of the square and leave them there even in winter don't laugh I'm serious I am sick and tired of the way criminals go to prison and have better benefits than the tax paying citizens of this country.Free food, free room and dental and medical.And then they tell me and my generation we'll be out of money for social security by the time I retire
70832482akbandit said on Sunday, Jul 17 at 8:12 AM
Amen Rick! These scum of the earth (and add pedophiles to the list) need to be made examples in a very public way. While I doubt that will end the problem, it sure would curtail it. In certain countries they cut off the hand of a convicted thief. How much worse than thievery is sex trafficing?
70833754Andrew Navarro said on Sunday, Jul 17 at 9:01 AM
These A holes need to be stoped
70835527Anonymous said on Sunday, Jul 17 at 10:20 AM
Real Laws need to be passed, and the low life defense attornies need to quit coddling and defending the perverts that do these unthinkable acts. Truth is when JUDGEMENT day cames, the pedofilies,perverts,lame lawyers will be held accountable for their actions. Until then we need laws passed that will get the scums attention. I think we should definately have the death penality for anyone that trafrics childre, regardless.This is the only way we will rid society of the perverts that feed on innocent people and children who have no voice.In the 50s, 60s, you went stright to the electric chair for crimes like this. Seems too many of the people with power and money either over look this crime or a part of it.
70838156Anonymous said on Sunday, Jul 17 at 3:07 PM
Anyone see how the Govenors "Choose Respect" Campaign will Absolutly FAIL! Without taking out the #1 date-rape drug of choice for rapists and child sex traffic. The govenor will never get this voters pick for govenor next election, because this govenor has no "Respect" For alaskans/ or natives for that matter.
70846649Bob D. said on Tuesday, Jul 19 at 4:37 PM
When these predators are caught and found guilty , they need to be taken out immediately and executed..NO appeals.
70970369John Doh said on Thursday, Jul 21 at 5:26 PM
if they are every where as det Lacey claims why have I never seen any of them? it is her job to stir up fear and set up stings and stop prostitution, hows that working out for ya there det Lacey? all you have done is run it further underground. just think if prostitution was still legal we would not have issues of illegal sex trafficking, it works well in Europe and in Nevada. and worked fine here in Alaska until the religious nut jobs made it their job to outlaw sex between consenting adults for a fee and people like det Lacey who is out to save the world one john at a time. come on just legalize the worlds oldest profession once and for all.
71100044Mychael said on Saturday, Jul 23 at 12:37 AM
If this where white kids the city would have done something sooner, but they are Natives. Only people who say this is"nt true are whit people. This is real.
71166097Look it up. said on Sunday, Jul 24 at 9:25 PM
Houston iscwrong. There is no association between alcohol dependence and race. The two strongest predictors of alcohol dependence are genetics and socioeconomic status.
71234103Community Member said on Wednesday, Jul 27 at 9:54 AM
Anyone who is interested in learning more about human trafficking or notices a suspicious situation, can call the National Human Trafficking hotline at 888-373-7888. The hotline is confidential, toll-free, and operates 24/7.
71376169Add a comment
Most Popular