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US smashes child prostitute rings | US smashes child prostitute rings |
(about 11 hours later) | |
More than 600 adults have been arrested in raids across the US targeting people who force children into prostitution. | More than 600 adults have been arrested in raids across the US targeting people who force children into prostitution. |
Operations took place in 29 cities in a co-ordinated action involving federal, state and local law officers, according to the FBI. | Operations took place in 29 cities in a co-ordinated action involving federal, state and local law officers, according to the FBI. |
Officials said 12 large-scale prostitution rings were dismantled in the raids and 47 children rescued. | Officials said 12 large-scale prostitution rings were dismantled in the raids and 47 children rescued. |
Since 2003, 575 child prostitutes have been saved from exploitation by American criminal gangs, they added. | Since 2003, 575 child prostitutes have been saved from exploitation by American criminal gangs, they added. |
Officials said many of the prostitution rings broken up were operated through call centres, truck stops, casinos and websites. | Officials said many of the prostitution rings broken up were operated through call centres, truck stops, casinos and websites. |
The FBI generally gets involved in child prostitution cases that cross state lines. | The FBI generally gets involved in child prostitution cases that cross state lines. |
At a news conference announcing the results of Operation Cross Country II, FBI Deputy Director John Pistole said the arrests were made possible by intelligence gathered during similar raids in June. | At a news conference announcing the results of Operation Cross Country II, FBI Deputy Director John Pistole said the arrests were made possible by intelligence gathered during similar raids in June. |
"Sex trafficking of children remains one of our most violent and unconscionable crimes in this country," he said. | "Sex trafficking of children remains one of our most violent and unconscionable crimes in this country," he said. |
The 47 rescued children range in age from 13 to 17, and all but one are female. | The 47 rescued children range in age from 13 to 17, and all but one are female. |
The minors interdicted....are victims of the most extreme form of sex trafficking Matthew Friedrich Assistant Attorney General | |
Of these, Mr Pistole said, 10 had been reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. | Of these, Mr Pistole said, 10 had been reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. |
A total of 642 people were arrested. They included 73 pimps and 518 adult prostitutes, according to the FBI. | A total of 642 people were arrested. They included 73 pimps and 518 adult prostitutes, according to the FBI. |
Growing problem | Growing problem |
Correspondents say child prostitution has become an urgent issue in recent years, as demonstrated by the growth of online networks where pimps advertise youngsters to clients. | Correspondents say child prostitution has become an urgent issue in recent years, as demonstrated by the growth of online networks where pimps advertise youngsters to clients. |
A recent University of Pennsylvania study estimated that nearly 300,000 children in the US are at risk of being sexually exploited for commercial purposes. | A recent University of Pennsylvania study estimated that nearly 300,000 children in the US are at risk of being sexually exploited for commercial purposes. |
"Make no mistake, the minors who were interdicted as a part of this operation are victims of the most extreme form of sex trafficking," said acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich. | "Make no mistake, the minors who were interdicted as a part of this operation are victims of the most extreme form of sex trafficking," said acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich. |
"It sadly remains the case even now in 2008 that there remain instances of children in the United States manipulated into prostitution by pimps willing to make a fast buck based on the most vulnerable among us," he said. | "It sadly remains the case even now in 2008 that there remain instances of children in the United States manipulated into prostitution by pimps willing to make a fast buck based on the most vulnerable among us," he said. |
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