Sen. Dick Durbin Brings Child Prostitution and Sex Trafficking Issue to Capitol Hill
WGN-TV
February 24, 2010
Illinois senator Dick
Durbin brought attention to a sensitive issue that affects people around
the world, country and right here in Chicago. Durbin chaired a hearing
on child prostitution and sex trafficking today on capitol hill.
It's estimated 100,000 American children become victims of sex trafficking each year, and the average age of these children is just 13 years old.
Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez addressed the hearing about the problem she sees on a daily basis.
"Juveniles are engaging in survival sex," Alvarez said, "Exchanging sex for food, clothing or a safe place to sleep. Cases such as these demonstrate the challenges that we face on a local level of prosecuting juvenile prostitution and sex crimes."
Alvarez's office has been working to deal with sex trafficking nd she says they do not charge the juveniles with a crime but work to get them help. She says instead, they go after the adults who are prostituting the teens.
It's estimated 100,000 American children become victims of sex trafficking each year, and the average age of these children is just 13 years old.
Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez addressed the hearing about the problem she sees on a daily basis.
"Juveniles are engaging in survival sex," Alvarez said, "Exchanging sex for food, clothing or a safe place to sleep. Cases such as these demonstrate the challenges that we face on a local level of prosecuting juvenile prostitution and sex crimes."
Alvarez's office has been working to deal with sex trafficking nd she says they do not charge the juveniles with a crime but work to get them help. She says instead, they go after the adults who are prostituting the teens.