RI sees increase in sex trafficking cases
By: Samantha Lavien
Twitter: @SLavienABC6
Rhode Island has seen a big spike in the number of sex trafficking cases over the last year.
This increase comes as state, local and federal agencies work together to target the crime.
“We’ve certainly seen an increase over the course of the last year and a half,” said State Police Captain Christopher Dicomitis.
Captain Dicomitis says over that year and a half time frame Rhode Island state police have arrested around 10 people for sex trafficking.
“It has come to the forefront. We are pooling all of our resources as well as resources with the advocacy groups in Rhode Island to go after these perpetrators,” said Dicomitis.
Under federal law any minor persuaded into commercial sex is a victim of sex trafficking.
Several task forces are working to combat the problem, including one at the sexual assault and trauma center, Day One.
“I think that the numbers are growing daily of kids involved with human trafficking so we want to make sure we have everyone at the table,” said the Director of Advocacy at Day One, Maureen Philbin.
The organization is currently working with more than 25 victims.
“We meet every Friday to discuss those cases,” said Philbin.
In terms of other efforts police say they’re working to educate all officers about the crime even warning police to be on the lookout during routine traffic stops.
“When they’re on patrol late at night and they stop a vehicle with an adult operating the vehicle with a young female in the car, does that raise their suspicion to say suspect that this female is being trafficked?” said Dicomitis.
Lawmakers are currently in the process of pushing legislation for harsher penalties for those convicted of sex trafficking.
(C) WLNE 2015
