We, at FCAHT, want to bring awareness to potential human sex trafficking victims inside the pornography industry. Due to evidence uncovered during research and investigations, we have found indicators that teen girls and women are being recruited into the pornography industry with fraudulent promises of legitimate work. These recruiters state that performers can easily make exaggerated amounts of money per month working with well known magazines and television/cable networks. Once these victims are recruited and arrive at the trafficking destination, there is evidence they are being held there by means of debt bondage, physical force and psychological coercion.
WHEREAS, Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking (FCAHT), through evidence uncovered during research and investigations, has identified potential sex trafficking victims inside the pornography industry. FCAHT has found indicators that:
• teen girls, boys and women are being recruited into the pornography industry with fraudulent promises of legitimate jobs at exaggerated pay rates;
• once these victims are recruited and arrive at the trafficking destination, they are being held there by means of debt bondage, physical force and psychological coercion;
• their pay for work performed is given directly to their “agent” or trafficker and these debts are deducted before any money, if any remains, is given to the victim;
• the victims are given the “choice” to perform “privates”, which is illegal prostitution, to pay off their debt;
• if the victim attempts to leave and/or speak out against the industry, they are physically and emotionally threatened to hold them captive and to keep them from seeking help with law enforcement agencies;
WHEREAS, the United States has identified the above actions to be indicators of sex trafficking which is illegal per the United States Trafficking Victims Protection Act and Reauthorizations of 2003, 2005 and 2008;
WHEREAS, the pornography industry is a legal industry inside the United States and as such, must submit to the laws of the TVPA and Reauthorizations of 2003, 2005 and 2008;
WHEREAS, spokespersons for the pornography industry have openly admitted in public forums that they do not follow the laws of the United States;
WHEREAS, the pornography industry, in the United States alone, produces 89% of the entire world’s hardcore pornography websites with earnings between $2.8 – $13 billion a year, making it is one of the most profitable industries in the United States;
WHEREAS, FCAHT takes the stance that these indicators should be evaluated for further awareness and possible action;
THEREFORE, I add my name and voice to those of countless American citizens calling upon our United States Government to immediately join with the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking in efforts to end the exploitation and trafficking of teen children and women in the pornography industry and stop modern-day slavery in the 21st century.
Specifically, I call on FBI Director Robert S. Mueller and Department of Justice Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. to:
1. Initiate an investigation of these indicators to determine if, in fact, sex trafficking is taking place inside the pornography industry and, if so found, to take possible legal action against the pornography industry per TVPA and Reauthorizations provisions.
2. Work with the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking to establish and enforce a human rights-based code of conduct, including zero tolerance for forced labor, servitude, debt bondage and illegal commercial sex acts within the pornography industry in America.
To sign this Petition, click HERE.
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