Demand for commercial sex increases dramatically when large numbers of men gather for sports

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Today, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced the ongoing efforts of a statewide awareness campaign aimed at combatting child sex trafficking.  These efforts coincide with the upcoming Indianapolis 500, which could exceed attendance of 300,000 people, with many visiting from out of town.

The “Indiana’s Not Buying It” campaign focuses on reducing the demand for commercial sex that fuels human trafficking. Human trafficking occurs when people are recruited into the sex or labor trade through force, fraud or coercion or when a child is used for commercial sex. It happens in all corners of the state, and primarily to young, vulnerable populations, said Zoeller. The average age at which children in the U.S. first become victims of sex trafficking is 13. The average age of death of a person involved in prostitution is 34, and the most common cause of death is homicide.

“The violent, exploitive sex trade that victimizes far too many children will not end unless we stand up as a society and refuse to tolerate commercial sex,” said Zoeller, who co-chairs the Indiana Protection for Abused and Trafficked Humans (IPATH) Task Force. “With a major sporting event approaching, I hope this message reaches men who purchase sex that we are no longer buying any excuses.”

Last month “Indiana’s Not Buying It” campaign launched in conjunction with the 2015 NCAA Final Four championship, which was held in Indianapolis. It is well documented from events from around the nation that demand for commercial sex increases dramatically when large numbers of men gather for sports or another party atmosphere. Last year in an analysis of Backpage.com ads in the Louisville area, researchers found the largest spike in adult services classified ads occurred during March Madness with more than 100 ads per day. Similarly, when the Super Bowl was held in Indianapolis in 2012, the number of Indiana-specific “escort” ads on Backpage jumped from eight in December prior to the event to 129 the day before the Super Bowl.

According to law enforcement, there were 18 commercial sex related arrests during the 2015 NCAA Final Four.

Following the launch of the campaign, IPATH launched a training and awareness blitz in Central Indiana. Flyers and other victim recovery materials aimed at reaching and providing resources to victims were distributed at truck stops, rest areas and taxi cab services, in addition to local restaurants, bars and other tourism hot spots. The Indiana Motor Truck Association and Indiana Department of Transportation facilitated the distribution of these materials. IPATH also worked to train area hotel staffs on spotting the red flags associated with trafficked victims. 40 hotels/motels in the Indianapolis and surrounding area received awareness materials.

Similarly, to reach those that are in town for the Indianapolis 500, IPATH specifically targeted businesses in the Speedway area and hotels around the city by distributing resources and victim recovery materials.

The awareness campaign features a PSA starring local professional athletes and sports personalities, including IndyCar driver Ed Carpenter, Lavoy Allen from the Indiana Pacers, Matt Hasselbeck from the Indianapolis Colts, and Donnie Walsh of the Pacers. The PSA can be viewed at www.INNotBuyingIt.org. The Not Buying It message is being publicized on 35 billboards throughout the state, as well as on the local public transit system, IndyGo. The Outdoor Advertising Association of Indiana (OAAI) donated the billboard space, and the PSA was produced by the Pacers.

During the 2015 legislative session, the Attorney General’s Office has worked with state legislators to strengthen Indiana’s human trafficking laws and provide more support for victims. These bills include:

• Senate Bill 532, will go into effect on July 1, 2015 and allows prosecutors to seek civil forfeiture of the assets of a person accused of human trafficking, such as a house or vehicle. The value of any property seized in connection with human trafficking would be split, with 80 percent going to the human trafficking prevention and victim assistance fund, and 20 percent going to the county prosecutor’s office.  This new law will also require a person, who holds an alcohol permit for an establishment that provides adult entertainment, to require adult performers to provide proof of age and legal residency.  Establishments must also require all performers and employees to sign a document acknowledging their awareness of the problem of human trafficking as well as display human trafficking awareness posters on the premises.

• House Bill 1216, which would ensure children are not held criminally liable under Indiana’s prostitution laws if they are victims of human trafficking. It would also require a law enforcement agency to immediately contact the Department of Child Services if the law enforcement agency detains an alleged victim of human or sexual trafficking who is less than 18 years of age.

Zoeller appreciates the support of the authors and sponsors of these bills for their work to advance these critical initiatives.

For the past several years, Zoeller has supported legislative changes in Indiana that make it easier to prosecute and hold traffickers accountable. He also serves on the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) Standing Committee Against Human Trafficking.

For more information about Indiana’s Not Buying It campaign and the Attorney General’s other human trafficking prevention efforts, visit www.INNotBuyingIt.org. To schedule a human trafficking prevention training event or to learn more about these efforts, contact humantraffickinginfo@atg.in.gov.

Human trafficking tips can be reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at: 888-3737-888 (text BeFree to 233733). If it is an emergency, call 911. If a child may be in danger, call the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-800-5556. Tips can also be reported to the Indiana Attorney General’s Office by emailing humantraffickingtip@atg.in.gov.