human trafficking

Illinois getting tougher on human trafficking

The Associated Press — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 17:12:43 +0000

Illinois is getting tougher on those involved in human trafficking and forcing the vulnerable into prostitution.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law Saturday that strengthens the ability of prosecutors to target those behind what he called "a tragic trade."

The measure also offers greater protection to the victims, who are often from vulnerable groups like runaways, abused children and immigrants.

Hotels asked to help stop sex trafficking

The Associated Press — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:43:35 +0000

A suburban St. Louis event planner is seeking to enlist hotels in the fight against human trafficking of minors, particularly for sex.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Nix Conference & Meeting Management has begun pressuring the 500 or so hotels it does business with to sign a code of conduct in the effort to protect children from trafficking.

Defendant in Mo. sex slave case changes plea

The Associated Press — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:37:34 +0000

A suburban St. Louis man has pleaded guilty to participating in the commercial sex trafficking of a woman whom prosecutors allege was coerced into being a sex slave.

Thirty-three-year-old Bradley Cook of Kirkwood entered the plea Tuesday in federal court in Kansas City.

The case revolves around a woman who said she was a teenager when she moved into the rural Lebanon, Mo., trailer of co-defendant Edward Bagley and his wife. The accuser said she was used as a sex slave for years and came to authorities only after going into cardiac arrest after a torture session.

Morning headlines: Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Julie Bierach and The Associated Press — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:27:54 +0000

Nixon signs human trafficking bill

People convicted of human trafficking in Missouri will face longer maximum sentences under a bill signed by Gov. Jay Nixon.

The legislation addresses convictions for trafficking for slavery, forced labor or sexual exploitation and abuse through forced labor. Those crimes now carry maximum sentences of 15 years in prison.

Hotel signs code to prevent sex trafficking

Maria Altman — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:17:32 +0000

The Millennium Hotel St. Louis signed a code Tuesday to help prevent the sex trafficking of children.

The move came as nearly 900 Sisters of St. Joseph gathered for a three-day event at the Millennium.

Executive director of the Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph in the U.S., Kathy McCluskey, says they’re working to inform Americans about the issue of child sex trafficking.

"What we’ve discovered is when you do that people will recognize the horror of it and immediately want to learn what can be done to prevent it at every level," McCluskey said.