The attorneys general of 46 states, including Tennessee, say an online classified site isn’t doing enough to prevent sex trafficking using its ads.
To enter the adult services section of Backpage-dot-com, users have to agree to a disclaimer that says they will report any suspected illegal activity–including human trafficking–to the proper authorities.
The group of attorneys general sent a letter to the site Wednesday saying that’s not enough. They want the site to get rid of its adult services section altogether.
Jeff Hill is Senior Counsel in the Tennessee Attorney General’s Consumer Division. He admits that might not get rid of ads for illegal sex, but says it would be a big improvement.
“Obviously we’re concerned they’ll just show up elsewhere, but consolidating them all in one place such as an adult services section on a website like this – where there are just listing, after listing, after listing – certainly makes it a lot easier.”
Easier, that is, for people selling encounters with prostitutes, including some who are minors forced into the sex trade against their will.
Earlier this week, Metro police arrested a man for forcing four young women into prostitution, using Backpage.com to line up johns.
Two years ago a competitor, Craigslist, took down its adult ads after the attorneys general applied similar pressure.
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