We’ve received several comments following a rise in public exposure via news outlets and conversation, that critique the fundamental argument we try to make that:

Child Prostitution (aka Child Sex Slavery) = A heinous Injustice

Even more specifically, domestic child prostitution is considered Human Trafficking according to definition. Therefore we must address the elements of this issue that are being Critiqued:

The two assumptions being made by critics are:

1. Child prostitutes choose their vocation (oppression) - Let us not be so naive to think that there is not correlation between the Valley being the worst in the country in kidnappings AND one of the worst cities for Child prostitution. Many girls are abducted and forced into this life, tortured, enslaved and left completely helpless to the will of the Pimp. Case-in-point Jaycee Dugard. Though she was not prostituted out by her captor, this still represents an abduction that led to sex slavery. AND IT HAPPENS ALL OVER THE VALLEY!
2. “Good parenting” will prevent this issue from occuring - Along the same lines, we must dispel the idea that “good parenting”, though helpful in many ways, eliminates the threat. It doesn’t take much from peers and good-looking, older guys to manipulate their way into a teenager’s favor. Promises of fancy clothes, VIP lifestyles and adventurous love will barrage any “secure” and “supportive” home. This is why “good parenting” must include educating future-victims of the dangers that exist. It is more than just “stranger-danger”; This is potential slavery and rape, preying on children at schools, malls, and parks.

If you continue to question the idea that Child Prostitution is a Justice issue that all must embrace, we welcome you to continue the discourse by commenting to this Blog Post. We also invite all to learn more about this issue, and what is being done around the valley to combat Child Sex Slavery, to BRANDED screenings that are schedule and posted regularly on the home page. At BRANDED screenings we facilitate a panel discussion and Q&A with members of the Phoenix Vice Squad, former Victims, and City Advocates.

Check out the new “Media” page for other videos, articles and resources relating to Child Sex Slavery in the U.S.

Summer 2009 Update

BRANDEDphx.com - Summer 09 Update from David Curtis on Vimeo.

Bill Sponsors: Jim Waring and Linda Gray

SUBJECT:      Strike everything amendment to 1423; relating to child prostitution

Purpose

Removes the ability of a person who is charged with engaging in prostitution with a minor to base the person’s defense on a claim that the defendant could not reasonably have known the age of the minor and prescribes penalties for the offense.

Background

Currently, Arizona Revised Statutes define prostitution as engaging in or agreeing or offering  to engage in sexual conduct under a fee arrangement with any person for money or any other valuable consideration.   A person commits child prostitution, a class 2 felony, by knowingly causing any minor to engage in prostitution, transporting any minor with the intent that the minor engage in prostitution, receiving any benefit related to the prostitution of a minor or financing, managing, supervising, controlling or owning prostitution activity involving a minor.   If the minor is between the ages of 15 and 17, the presumptive term of imprisonment is 10.5 years for a first offense, 15.75 years for an offense with one historical prior felony conviction and 28 years for an offense with two or more historical prior felony convictions.  If the minor is under 15 years of age, the offense is classified as a dangerous crime against children and the offender is subject to enhanced penalties (A.R.S. § 13-3212).

A person also commits child prostitution by knowingly engaging in prostitution with a minor, which is also a class 2 felony.  The presumptive term of imprisonment for a class 2 felony is five years.  However, statute provides a defense to the crime of engaging in prostitution with a minor who is 15, 16 or 17 years of age if the defendant could not reasonably have known the age of the minor at the time of the offense (A.R.S. § 13-3213).   If the court sentences a person to a term of probation for engaging in prostitution with a minor, statute requires the court to order the person to be imprisoned in the county jail for at least 30 days as an initial term of probation (A.R.S. § 13-3212).

The strike everything amendment to S.B. 1423 prescribes terms of imprisonment for engaging in prostitution with a minor.  County jails or the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) may experience increased costs associated with incarcerating these offenders.

Provisions

1. Eliminates the defense to the crime of engaging in prostitution with a minor who is 15, 16 or 17 years of age if the defendant could not reasonably have known the age of the minor at the time of the offense.

2. Requires the court to order a person convicted of engaging in prostitution with a minor who is 15, 16 or 17 years of age to be imprisoned in the county jail for not less than 180 consecutive days, instead of 30 days, as an initial term of probation if:

a) the person did not know and could not reasonably have known the age of the minor.

b) the court sentences the person to a term of probation.

3. Allows the court to suspend 90 days of the jail sentence if the person successfully completes an appropriate court ordered education or treatment program and has not previously been convicted of any of the following offenses:

a) engaging in prostitution with a minor.

b) prostitution.

c) a violation of any city or town ordinance that prohibits prostitution and that has the same or substantially similar elements as the state law prohibiting prostitution.

4. Specifies in all other cases that a person convicted of engaging in prostitution with a minor who is 15, 16 or 17 years of age is subject to the following presumptive, aggravated or mitigated terms of imprisonment:

5. Stipulates that a person convicted of engaging in prostitution with a minor who is 15, 16 or 17 years of age is not eligible for suspension of sentence, probation, pardon or release from confinement until the sentence imposed by the court has been served or commuted or the Director of ADC authorizes temporary release.

6. Specifies that it is not a defense to prosecution for child prostitution that the other person is not a minor.

7. Makes a conforming change.

8. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Prepared by Senate Research

A cataloging of organizations, fight against Human Trafficking Domestically and Internationally, this site will provide the latest news on the variety of efforts going on. From how pimps are recruiting, to the latest on legislative initiatives to end child prostitution check out:

humantrafficking.change.org