The commercial sexual exploitation of children is not new. Society has struggled with its existence and its damaging impacts throughout history. In 2000, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) became a cornerstone of federal anti-trafficking legislation to prosecute traffickers, prevent trafficking crimes and protect victims. TVPA recognizes there is no such thing as a “child prostitute,” and children cannot consent to sexual activity, much less the illegal act of prostitution/commercial sex.
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“(Traffickers) focus on easy targets for exploitation. They often recruit vulnerable children and teens from junior high and high schools, courthouses, foster and group homes, bus and train stations, shopping malls, homeless shelters, halfway houses, bars, parks, and playgrounds.”
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Angel grew up in a loving family. One day while waiting for the school bus, 14-year-old Angel was approached by Ricky. He was 23, drove a sports car, and called her beautiful; which was very flattering coming from a mature, confident man.
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At first Ricky was good to Angel. He bought her nice things, took her out to dinner, treated her like a woman and won her trust. Ricky was grooming Angel. When Angel’s parents objected to her changed behavior and choice of clothes, she got defensive. Ricky empathized and suggested she stay with him. Following a huge fight with her parents, Angel left for Ricky’s with an overnight bag.
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After a few weeks, Ricky told Angel he lost his job and couldn’t pay the rent. Ricky asked for a special favor. In order to keep the apartment, Angel should have sex with another man for money. Angel loved Ricky and wanted to help, but not this way. She’d never been with anyone else. Just this once, he promised, but once turned into countless times. Whenever she resisted, he hit her. He stopped buying her things and called her useless, a burden on him, even on her parents. Angel was trapped and didn’t see a way out of her situation.
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One day in town she saw one of her former school teachers and prayed he might help. He frowned, mumbled “slut” under his breath, and kept walking. She felt ashamed, worthless, and alone. Ricky had complete control.
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Fortunately, one night while Ricky was having Angel wait for a “customer,” the police raided her motel room. An officer told Angel she was a victim and introduced her to a social worker with the Department of Family and Children’s Services who could help her with counseling, reuniting with her parents and returning to school. While Angel is still dealing with the trauma of abuse and exploitation, she is taking it day by day and hopes to help others in the future. Ricky was prosecuted and found guilty of human trafficking.
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Under California Penal Code 236.1, crimes of human trafficking are punishable by imprisonment for up to 12 years and fines of up to $500,000. Under state and federal law, a minor cannot consent to sexual exploitation.
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Join Community Solutions and the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking at a community workshop at Morgan Hill Library, 660 E. Main Ave., 7 p.m. Sept. 27.
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To report a potential case of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733).
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Perla Flores is Director of Solutions To Violence at Community Solutions. Sharan Dhanoa is Coordinator for the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking. This guest view is part three in a three-part series on human trafficking in Santa Clara County. See the links below to see parts one and two.
Join Community Solutions and the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking at a community workshop at Morgan Hill Library, 660 E. Main Ave., 7 p.m. Sept. 27.
To report a potential case of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733).
