Activists, law enforcement, and politicians cheered two events last April targeting human traffickers. First, the federal government seized Backpage.com, which carried online sex ads. Then, President Donald Trump signed the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, a law intended to hold internet platforms accountable for facilitating sex...
Side Effect of Trafficking Law: More Street Prostitution?
NEW YORK — Recent crackdowns targeting the sex-for-hire industry have reduced the number of commercial ads on the internet and helped fight online trafficking. But activists and police say the efforts may have had unintended consequences — landing women and girls back on the streets, where dangers also lurk. The...