Home Blog Page 6

Registered Sex Offender

Registered Sex Offender

REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER

WHAT IS A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER?

A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER is an individual who has been convicted, in a court of law, of a sex crime.  Different States have different parameters as to what is considered a "sex crime" but the usual cases include conviction of rape, statutory rape, molestation, sexual assault and production or viewing of child pornography.  This list is not exclusive and certain States have expanded the definition.  Upon re-entering society an individual convicted of a sex offense must register with his/her local law enforcement community, as per both federal and state laws, which will put that individual on "the grid" so that members of that community can be aware that someone convicted of a sex offense is living nearby.

HOW DO YOU FILE AS A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER?

Since MEGAN'S LAW was put into federal law in 1994 it has continued to grow in effect.  In 2007 the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act implemented new guidelines that require sex offenders to register with police and notify them of their residence, place of work, license plate and driver's license numbers and pictures and have them available to the public.  Since the enactment of the 07' act there has been severe punishment handed down for failure to coincide with the mandate.  This has included a life sentence of one individual for failure to register a residence, even though the individual was homeless and was incapable of reporting one.  This makes clear that the law enforcement and the courts take the matter extremely serious.

In some places the lists of sex offenders are made available to the public.  These can be found in newspapers, public notices, and the internet.  In Missouri, for example, registered sex offenders are required to avoid children during Halloween.  Studies have shown that recidivism is high and most States will take all precautions when dealing with sex offenders, especially those convicted of sexual crimes against children.

HOW CAN I FIND REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS IN MY COMMUNITY?

The federal government maintains a National Sex Offender Public Website which enables all U.S. citizens to access and discover registered sex offenders in their community.  In addition to this many states and local communities maintain their own websites that divulge this information including names, addresses, photographs, descriptions, etc.  The public policy is to insure that families and children are protected from registered sex offenders.

This policy is not without its critics.  Many people assert that this form of registry only helps families of victims and those outraged by sexual crimes to plot revenge against sex offenders.  For detailed information about where sex offenders may be located in your area you may visit the FBI's Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) at www.nsopw.gov.  

 

Arizona Sex Offender Gets 12 Years in Prison

Arizona Sex Offender Gets 12 Years in Prison


On November 26, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced that Michael Killala (43 years old) from Peoria, Arizona was sentenced to 144 months in prison.  He admitted that he traveled to southern California on two different occasions to have sex with a boy 14 years of age.  He met the boy on the internet.  


Michael Killala was sentenced by United States District Judge Virginia A. Phillips.  


During Killala’s sentencing hearing, the victim’s mother made several statements to the court.  She stated that Killala “preyed on our son for his own perverse sexual gratification” and that her son was traumatized by the events.  She stated that he now suffers from “debilitating anxiety, flashbacks, overwhelming shame, anger, loss of sleep, nightmares, severe depression, and fear that Killala was going to kill him.”  


Court documents indicate that Killala met the teenage boy on the internet during 2011.  Killala drove to Corona, California to visit the boy and have a sexual encounter in December 2011, and he took the boy to a hotel in Ontario, California in January 2012.  During the second meeting, Killala gave the boy vodka before having sex.  


Killala was arrested after he checked out of the hotel.  


During a search of Killala’s property, police found over 3,000 text messages between Killala and the boy.  Police found two explicit photos of the 14-year-old boy on the phone, and authorities also found explicit photos sent to Killala from another teenage boy.  Killala pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing child pornography.  


The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Corona Police Department, and the Ontario Police Department.  


Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation
 

About Sex Offender Registration

About Sex Offender Registration

 


Sex Offender Registration

 

Requiring a sex offender to register with their state directory deters sex offenders from committing the same crime in the future, gives investigative agencies a tool for locating repeat offenders, and increases public attention about the people in their neighborhoods.  

 

Legislation Addressing Sex Offender Registration

 

Several pieces of legislation have established standards for the registration process:

 

Wetterling Act

 

The first requirements under the Wetterling Act caused the following:

 

·         made offenders register for at least 10 years

·         made sure offenders knew the requirements for registration when they resided in a jurisdiction

·         required those registered to update their information after they moved

·         made sure registered address were verified regularly

·         released information to the public for public safety

 

Megan’s Law

 

This law amended the Wetterling Act in May of 1996 and allowed states to release other information to protect public safety.  The law gives states the ability to decide what information is necessary for public protection.  For example, the state may decide to release information for only those convicted of certain offenses or release information for all registered sex offenders.  The law let states notify communities through the mail, media releases, community meetings, or make the information available upon request. 

 

The Palm Lychner Act

 

This Act amended the Wetterling Act and required those convicted of an aggravated sex offense or multiple offenses to register for their entire life. 

Several other amendments were made—most notably for the National Sex Offender Registry.  In 1998, an amendment required all states to use the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR). 

 

Sex Offender Registration Process

 

Sex offenders usually need to register after they are released for their crimes or sentenced to community supervision.  The sex offender will normally have to register the local sheriff’s office or the local police department.  If the offender moves, works, or attends school in another state, the Wetterling Act requires them to register with that state as well. 

 

The sex offender usually has to provide their name, address, and identification number from law enforcement for the crime.  Most states require a photograph, and some states even require information like current employment information, vehicle registration numbers, and DNA analysis. 

Some states require all sex offenders to register for life, while some states only require certain offenders to register for life.  Other states require sex offender registration for 10 years or vary the length for registration based upon the class of the felony. 

 

Offenses that Require Sex Offender Registration

 

·         kidnapping of a minor or false imprisonment

·         criminal sexual conduct directed toward minor

·         solicitation of a minor

·         using a minor in sexual act

·         making a minor engage in prostitution

·         any sexual offense directed toward minor

 

The following states require juvenile sex offenders to register as well:

 

·         Alabama

·         Arizona

·         California

·         Colorado

·         Delaware

·         Florida

·         Idaho

·         Indiana

·         Iowa

·         Kansas

·         Kentucky

·         Louisiana

·         Massachusetts

·         Michigan

·         Minnesota

·         Mississippi (if convicted twice)

·         Montana

·         New Jersey

·         North Carolina

·         Oregon

·         Rhode Island

·         South Carolina

·         South Dakota (15 or older)

·         Texas

·         Virginia

·         Washington

·         Wisconsin

Sex trafficking

Sex trafficking

Sex trafficking is the forcible coercion of men and women into sexual servitude.  While some of these individuals have been victims of human trafficking from abroad, a huge number of Americans are also victims of sexual trafficking, usually by individuals they trust.  Sex trafficking is often part of larger criminal enterprises, including drug sale and trafficking and many of these criminals will use drugs or threats of violence to keep sexual trafficking victims complaint.

What common arrangements are in sex trafficking?
Although a number of sex trafficking operations exist in drug dens or on the streets, there are also a number of seemingly legitimate establishments that may also be engaged in sex trafficking.  This has usually been establishments that serve as strip clubs, massage parlors and spas.  Escort services too, are generally suspect for their role in connecting victims with johns that buy their services.  While not all of these establishments are engaged in illegal activity, the vast majority of sexual trafficking cases have revolved around cover businesses that appear to offer legitimate services involving the victims.
How are victims forced into sex trafficking arrangements?
The victims are abused, threatened, and usually confined to the premises, depending on the criminal enterprise.  Fraud is also typical, especially with individuals trafficked from overseas.  These persons are typically offered a lucrative job in America, only to be forced into a sexually exploitive line of work.  This arrangement is usually accompanied by exorbitant, usually accrued fraudulently, with the sex trafficking establishment charge exorbitant “living expenses” for food, clothing and shelter consumed by the victim.  
For many arrangements, there is likely a violation of the trust the victim placed in the individual, either through personal or cultural bonds.  Sex traffickers typically instill a fear of police or immigration officials to prevent victims, especially victims from abroad from seeking help.  Cultural and language barriers also prevent sex trafficking victims from receiving the help they need to escape from the arrangement.

What are common forms of sex trafficking in the United States?
Massage parlor – typically Asian women from abroad and run by Asian sex trafficking criminal enterprises, these establishments masquerade as a legitimate business advertising “exotic massages” in print or on the internet.  Sexual services are usually obtained by code and the only sources of income, if at all, for these victims are tips paid by the customer.
Street prostitution – these victims are generally controlled by a pimp or madam and are forced to meet high quotas selling sexual services.  All of the money is taken by the pimp and the prostitute is threatened with violence if caught planning to leave the “protection” of the pimp.  Truck stop prostitution is also common and some truck drivers may be complicit in moving trafficking victims to other states to avoid detection.
Escort Services, Strip Clubs and Hostess Bars – these arrangements, under the guise of legitimate erotic services and force the victims to engage in sex with customers.  Escort services maintain call services that will offer variable locations or “out-calls” to prevent discovery by authorities.

4 Facts that You Need to Know About Sex Tourism

4 Facts that You Need to Know About Sex Tourism

What is Sex Tourism?

Sex Tourism is defined as an activity that entails individuals engaging in both national and international travel in order to participate in sexual activity considered to be both illegal and unethical in those individuals’ respective nations or countries of residence. Due to the fact that both the age of consent, as well as permissible sexual activity varies on both a locational and jurisdictional basis, Sex Tourism was perceived to facilitate individuals in their respective engagement of travel in order to both undermine and exploit contrasting legislation and statutory systems. 
Sex Tourism Fact #1: International and Legal Jurisdictions 

Although the legislative policy that exists on an international level prohibits individual countries or nations from enacting justice within the borders of other countries or nations, the Sex Tourism epidemic has spawned an international collective effort undertaken by a bulk of international governments in order to combat Sex Tourism; this includes:
The instatement of international legislation such as ‘Operation Predator’, which consists of preventative measures resulting in international investigations and extraditions with regard to individuals apprehended in foreign nations participatory in Sex Tourism
A combined international effort demanding the investigation and cessation of brothels considered to cater directly to Sex Tourism
Sex Tourism Fact #2: The Sex Tourism Industry
Sex Tourism is considered to be amongst the top 5 largest industries within the world that undertake illegal and criminal activities. Upon the release of statistics resulting from a study conducted by the United Nations, Sex Tourism and Human Trafficking is considered to rank as the third most prevalent criminal activity; only drug trafficking and arms dealing surpass Sex Tourism and Human Trafficking in their respective prevalence.
The Sex Tourism industry has been reported as victimized almost 2 million human beings on a global level
Recent studies show that both the Sex Tourism industry, which acts in concert with the human trafficking industry reports earnings of over $30 billion on an annual basis

Sex Tourism Fact #3: Victims of Sex Tourism


The victims of Sex Tourism are considered to range in both gender and ages; while forced prostitution and exploitation continue to affect millions of individuals, females are reported to comprise upwards of 80% of the victims of the Sex Tourism industry; furthermore, children and minors have been reported as comprising upwards of 20% of the victims of Sex Tourism, a figure considered to reach almost 2 million children victimized by Sex Tourism.
Sex Tourism Fact #4: Devastation Resulting from Sex Tourism

Sex Tourism not only serves as a means of exploitation of human beings, but it also results in the violation of human rights and freedoms. Studies released have illustrated that Sex Tourism is one of the most prevalent catalysts for the spread of teen pregnancy, but also the transmission of sexually-transmitted disease on both national and international levels. Furthermore, Sex Tourism accounts for the development of both mental and emotional disorders in its victims, which includes:
Suicide
Depression
Substance Abuse
Reporting Sex Tourism
In the event that you have been made aware of illicit sex tourism taking place, you are encouraged to contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center immediately; you can do so by contacting them via telephone: (888) 373-7888.

3 Facts About Prostitution Laws

3 Facts About Prostitution Laws

What are Prostitution Laws?

Prostitution Laws exist as statutory and regulatory measures applicable to the act of prostitution, which is defined as the criminal act involving the exchange of sexual acts – which can include intercourse, penetration, and copulation – for financial or commercial gain or opportunity. 

Prostitution Laws Fact #1

Prostitution retains a wide range of dangers ranging from health concerns to exploitation, which may include a variety of actions and activities differing in process, victims, and methodologies undertaken. As a result, prostitution laws enacted on both national and international levels have served to classify the following terminology and criminal activity within the realm of prostitution laws:
Human trafficking is the unlawful and illegal transport of human beings with the intent of forcing them to engage in Prostitution; this can occur on both domestic and international levels
Brothels are criminal operations in which secretive Prostitution occurs within the realm of clandestine commercialized sexual activity; in many cases, prostitution laws allow for the investigation of such activities and institutions to be conducted on both clandestine and observable levels
Child Prostitution is a criminal act that involves the forced prostitution of minors, who are below the age of consent with regard to the legal engagement in sexual activity; individuals convicted of child prostitution will typically face child abuse, assault, and rape charges
Prostitution Laws Fact #2
Within the legal spectrum surrounding Prostitution Laws, the act of prostitution is classified as an act of Solicitation enacted in order to garner the participation in illegal and illicit sexual activity; this classification is expressed within the tenets of prostitution laws as the illegal and unlawful exchange of goods, services, or monies upon engaging within sexual activity.
Prostitution laws defined prostitution to be a form of solicitation; as a result, an individual can be charged with prostitution regardless of the existence of any actual sexual activity; merely soliciting illegal and unlawful sexual activity is considered to be a crime with regard to prostitution laws
In contrast to popular belief, a law enforcement agent is not required to identify themselves with regard to the solicitation by a prostitute; prostitution laws state that law enforcement agents posing as prostitutes in order to investigate or convict individuals of engaging in prostitution are required to identify themselves in lieu of an entrapment charge
Prostitution Laws Fact #3

Currently, prostitution is considered to be amongst the most dangerous and hazardous occupations undertaken by individuals within modernity; the innate and latent danger existing within such an activity has not only served to provide for devastating statistics illustrating the large mortality rate of prostitutes, but this fact has also resulted in the enforcement of heightened Prostitution Laws in an attempt to prevent prostitution:
Recent studies show that the mortality rate for individuals engaging in prostitution is approximately 5%; this means that upwards of 200 – out of 100,000 prostitutes are killed as a result of their profession
Prostitution Laws also serve to protect against violence and exploitation suffered by prostitutes; these attacks have been recorded on an average of every 30 days with regard to every prostitute

Important Facts About Human Trafficking

Important Facts About Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking Defined

Human Trafficking is a criminal activity involving the illegal acquisition of human beings, which typically occurs as a result of threat, kidnapping, abduction, and exploitation, which involves the forced sale and exchange of human beings in the setting of a commodities market without regard for human rights or freedoms. 
The Connection Between Human Trafficking and Prostitution

Human trafficking is the unlawful and illegal transport of human beings with the intent of forcing them to engage in illicit, illegal, and unethical sexual activity typically taking place within a setting of duress resulting from threat, harm, damage, injury, and exploitation. Within the realm of human trafficking, the following types of forced prostitution and sexual slavery are amongst the most common:
Child Prostitution is a criminal act that involves the forced prostitution of minors, who are below the age of consent with regard to the legal engagement in sexual activity; individuals convicted of child prostitution will typically face child abuse, assault, and rape charges
Sex Tourism is an activity that entails individuals undergoing travel in order to participate in sexual activity; in many cases, victims of sex tourism are oftentimes child victims of human trafficking  – individuals engaging in sex tourism will attempt to do so in order to circumnavigate legislation upheld within their respective country or nation of residence
Human Trafficking Facts and Statistics
Human trafficking is an exploitative and criminal process, which acts in direct violation of human rights and freedoms; upon forcing an individual to participate in forced labor or prostitution through the placement of human beings within a commercial marketplace, a wide variety of trauma, devastation, and damage will occur on both long-term and short-term basis:
Approximately 25 million human beings worldwide are currently subjected to human trafficking
Approximately 800,000 human beings are trafficked throughout international borders
Approximately 50% of victims of Human Trafficking are listed as children; this figure amounts to upwards of 1 million children victims subjected to sexual slavery and forced labor through exploitative and illegal means
Approximately 70% of females subjected to human trafficking are involved in sexual slavery and sexual exploitation; although males are subjected to sexual slavery as well, the majority of male victims of human trafficking are primarily subjected to forced labor
Approximately $30 billion is incurred on an annual basis by the human trafficking industry
At least 200 countries and nations worldwide report that human trafficking is an epidemic that continues to affect their respective citizens 
Approximately 15,000 human beings are trafficked into the United States on an annual basis
Reporting a Human Trafficking Offense
Although law enforcement agencies existing on both national and international levels have created legislation and enacted preventative methods in order to stop human trafficking, this crime continues to exist. In the event that you have been made aware of human trafficking taking place, you are encouraged to contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center immediately; you can do so by contacting them via telephone: (888) 373-7888.

5 Important Human Trafficking Statistics

5 Important Human Trafficking Statistics

What is Human Trafficking?

Human Trafficking is a crime that involves the illegal acquisition of human beings, which typically occurs as a result of threat, kidnapping, and exploitation; as its name suggest, the act of human trafficking entails the forced movement, sale, or exchange of human beings through an unlawful and illegal commercial process – human trafficking offenses are considered to be amongst the most egregious violations of human rights. Human Trafficking Statistics illustrate the rate and figures innate in this practice, oftentimes conveying numbers asserting the very real and urgent violation of human rights resulting from this offense.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human Trafficking is a crime that involves the illegal acquisition of human beings, which typically occurs as a result of threat, kidnapping, and exploitation; as its name suggest, the act of human trafficking entails the forced movement, sale, or exchange of human beings through an unlawful and illegal commercial process – human trafficking offenses are considered to be amongst the most egregious violations of human rights. Human Trafficking Statistics illustrate the rate and figures innate in this practice, oftentimes conveying numbers asserting the very real and urgent violation of human rights resulting from this offense.
Human Trafficking Statistics #1

While slavery is illegal on an international level, this egregious crime of forced human enslavement – both through threat or exploitation – still occurs in modernity; the devastation that human trafficking and forced slavery fosters is considered to be the ultimate violation of human agency and freedoms. Currently, Human Trafficking statistics show that upwards of 25 million human beings worldwide are currently subjected to human trafficking.
Human Trafficking Statistics #2

Human Trafficking is not a crime that is particular to a single country or nation; Human Trafficking statistics list that upwards of 800,000 human beings are trafficked throughout international borders – this statistic illustrates that the removal of individuals from their native places of residence id a growing problem.
Human Trafficking Statistics #3

Human Trafficking is not an injustice specific to adults; Human Trafficking statistics state that over 50% of the victims of Human Trafficking are children. Furthermore, Human Trafficking does not result merely in forced labor or slavery; in certain cases, children victimized by Human Trafficking are subjected to sexual slavery and exploitation occurring within a variety of countries and nations. While 50% of victims of Human Trafficking are listed as children, Human Trafficking statistics maintain that 1 million children are subjected to sexual slavery and exploitation.
Human Trafficking Statistics #4
Human Trafficking is not specific to gender; Human Trafficking statistics show that both males and females are both subjected to this heinous offense. With regard to female victims of Human Trafficking, 70% of females subjected to human trafficking are involved in sexual slavery and sexual exploitation; although males are subjected to sexual slavery as well, the majority of male victims of human trafficking are primarily subjected to forced labor and slavery.

Human Trafficking Statistics #5

Human Trafficking is considered to be an ongoing and growing predicament. Human Trafficking statistics show that Human Trafficking has been recorded to render upwards of $30 billion on an annual basis; in addition, international human trafficking has been listed as affecting almost 200 countries and nations worldwide. Within these nations listed as being affected by Human Trafficking, Human Trafficking statistics released have recorded upwards of 15,000 human being trafficked into the United States for both sexual slavery, as well as forced servitude. 
Reporting a Human Trafficking Offense

In the event that you have been made aware of human trafficking taking place, you are encouraged to contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center immediately; you can do so by contacting them via telephone: (888) 373-7888.
While slavery is illegal on an international level, this egregious crime of forced human enslavement – both through threat or exploitation – still occurs in modernity; the devastation that human trafficking and forced slavery fosters is considered to be the ultimate violation of human agency and freedoms. Currently, Human Trafficking statistics show that upwards of 25 million human beings worldwide are currently subjected to human trafficking.

Human Trafficking Statistics #2

Human Trafficking is not a crime that is particular to a single country or nation; Human Trafficking statistics list that upwards of 800,000 human beings are trafficked throughout international borders – this statistic illustrates that the removal of individuals from their native places of residence id a growing problem.
Human Trafficking Statistics #3
Human Trafficking is not an injustice specific to adults; Human Trafficking statistics state that over 50% of the victims of Human Trafficking are children. Furthermore, Human Trafficking does not result merely in forced labor or slavery; in certain cases, children victimized by Human Trafficking are subjected to sexual slavery and exploitation occurring within a variety of countries and nations. While 50% of victims of Human Trafficking are listed as children, Human Trafficking statistics maintain that 1 million children are subjected to sexual slavery and exploitation.
Human Trafficking Statistics #4

Human Trafficking is not specific to gender; Human Trafficking statistics show that both males and females are both subjected to this heinous offense. With regard to female victims of Human Trafficking, 70% of females subjected to human trafficking are involved in sexual slavery and sexual exploitation; although males are subjected to sexual slavery as well, the majority of male victims of human trafficking are primarily subjected to forced labor and slavery.

Human Trafficking Statistics #5

Human Trafficking is considered to be an ongoing and growing predicament. Human Trafficking statistics show that Human Trafficking has been recorded to render upwards of $30 billion on an annual basis; in addition, international human trafficking has been listed as affecting almost 200 countries and nations worldwide. Within these nations listed as being affected by Human Trafficking, Human Trafficking statistics released have recorded upwards of 15,000 human being trafficked into the United States for both sexual slavery, as well as forced servitude. 

Reporting a Human Trafficking Offense
In the event that you have been made aware of human trafficking taking place, you are encouraged to contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center immediately; you can do so by contacting them via telephone: (888) 373-7888.

The Difference Between Prostitution Services and Escort Services

The Difference Between Prostitution Services and Escort Services

What is an Escort?
An Escort is defined by an individual whose company, time, and companionship is available to be undertaken within a commercial setting; customers and consumers with regard to escort services available for patronization will be provided with varying monetary rates with regard to the implicit pricing latent within the engagement of escort services. Escort services, which are oftentimes referred to through the associated colloquialism of ‘Call Girls’ due to the fact that individuals – typically classified to be females – provide the patronization o their services through telephone contact. Commonly, escort services offer the following:
Company and escorts available for patronization with regard to individuals desiring accompaniment non-sexual in nature
Escorts employed by escort services, which allow for clientele to choose the identity – or person – with regard to hired escort

What is Prostitution?
Prostitution is the criminal act defined as the exchange of sexual acts – which can include intercourse, penetration, and copulation – for financial or commercial gain or opportunity. Prostitution is illegal in nature, the methods of protection for prostitutes – those engaging in Prostitution – is unreliable, at best; prostitutes are often exploited by those patronizing their services, as well as other individuals demanding fees and elicit payment in exchange for ad-hoc protection – these individuals are colloquially known as ‘pimps’:
The dangers of prostitutions are listed as contributory to the rampant proliferation of not only violence, abuse, exploitation, sexually transmitted disease, and unwanted pregnancy
Prostitution is considered to differ from an escort service with consideration to the absence of both the offering and advertising of illicit sexual activity; however, debates exist with regard to the implicit nature of the illegality rooted within the prospect of sexual activity in an indirect fashion
Potential Illegality within Escort Services
Although escort services undertake advertisement measures through which company and activity partnership are offered, a wide variety of individuals and lobbyists engage in investigative measures with regard to implications of prospective sexual activity despite its absence within advertisements and patronization:
Escort Services and Solicitation
Solicitation is the criminal act undertaken by an individual that involves the coercion of another individual or entity to engage in criminal activity; as a result that escort services do not publicize illegal or criminal activity due to the lack of sexuality offered within their advertisements, the charge of solicitation can be avoided with regard to escort services. However, in certain cases, activities criminal and illegal in nature may be implicit within otherwise legal advertisements released by escort services; such illegality may come to light as a result of investigations.
Reporting Criminal Activity Undertaken by Escort Services
Although the lack of illegality and criminal activity is inherent within a bulk of escort service advertisements, certain escort services may offer illegal activity akin to prostitution. In the event that an individual has been made aware of illegal or unlawful escort services undertaking criminal activity, they have to opportunity to contact the appropriate government department, such as the National Crime Prevention Council through their telephone number: (202) 466-6272.

Understanding the Craigslist Prostitution Debate

Understanding the Craigslist Prostitution Debate

What is Craig’s List?

Craig’s List is a website eponymously titled for the website’s creator; this website is typically free of charge with regard to its users, which are allowed to both post and respond to classified advertisements and requests existing within a virtual setting. Akin to a ‘Classifieds’ section in a newspaper or periodical, individual users are permitted to both post and respond to advertisements whose content includes employment opportunities, interpersonal connection services – ranging from romantic to casual relationships, and the request and sales of personal objects. 
What is the Craig’s List Prostitution Debate?
However, in the beginning of 2011, Craig’s List came under heavy scrutiny as a result of the discovery of the corpses of several females on Gilgo Beach on Long Island, New York; although investigations are still pending, the females were believed to be solicited as a result of Craig’s List Prostitution. Although neither condoned nor allowed by the Craig’s List website, Craig’s List Prostitution has become a rising concern to the illicit use of online services with regard to the proliferation of prostitution; individuals both illegally offering and soliciting prostitution through the use of the Craig’s List website do so upon undertaking clandestine methods – this methods typically include coded language alerting potential clients of these types of services.
Craig’s List Prostitution and Legality
As previously mentioned, Craig’s List does not condone or allow these types of services to be made available through use of its website; however, the deceptive measures undertaken by Craig’s List Prostitution endeavors have allowed for difficulty with regard to both the identification, as well as the investigation of such practices. The vast expanse of the Craig’s List website, which hosts millions of classified advertisements, creates a virtually-limitless collection of potential unlawful activities.
Craig’s List Prostitution and Profitability
Reports have stated that sexual activity both offered and solicited on the Craig’s List website provide for upwards of 30% of profits rendered by the website.
Craig’s List Prostitution and Constitutionality
Regardless of the potential Craig’s List Prostitution that is available on the website, the Craig’s List administration maintains a ‘censor-free’ approach to its posts and advertisements with the exception of blatantly illegal or harmful activity. As a result, the ambiguity surrounding Craig’s List Prostitution, which has been advertised as ‘escort services’ or ‘activity partners’ has resulted in a difficulty within any definitive identification of prostitution. However, as a result of the controversy surrounding Craig’s List Prostitution, the Craig’s List website administration has taken the following measures:
Although the website is free of charge with regard to bulk of its advertisements, Craig’s List mandates a fee for individuals offering services or activities that may be suspected of Craig’s List Prostitution; this not only allows for the ability to track these individuals through financial records, but also serves as a deterrence for those not wishing to be identified in their respective participation
The Craig’s List Website allows full cooperation with regard to law enforcement with regard to the provision of information and case details involving activities suspected of facilitating illegal and unlawful activity