Ft Worth Times

As the novel coronavirus has spread, local leaders in Dallas are working hard to ensure that human trafficking criminals do not profit from the pandemic. 

According to The Dallas Morning News, during 2019, the local law enforcement looked into human trafficking networks by digging deep into businesses marketing themselves as massage parlors and often more realistically being breeding grounds for sex crimes. 

The illicit massage industry is responsible for the exploitation of countless individuals around the world and across the U.S., offering prostitution for those looking for commercial sex, the report stated.

The Journal of Human Trafficking reports that the transnational criminal organizations are responsible for over $3.5 billion in illegal revenue every year, a majority of the revenue is earned in China and Asian nations. 

One of the major concerns of local leaders is that these illicit businesses may attempt to use funding from the small business financial aid programs, essentially resulting in federally funded sex crimes. 

In order to prevent such devious actions from taking place, leaders are pushing for several efforts that will ensure that these illegitimate businesses do not profit at this time. 

First, leaders are hoping that landlords will cooperate with law enforcement, terminating lease agreements if and when illegal activities are discovered. Second, elected leaders are hoped to keep the businesses shut down even after the economy is up and running again. Lastly, investigators are expected to ensure that illicit massage business owners are not able to take advantage of the loans and assistance programs that come out of the COVID-19 pandemic response. 

Local leaders should be aware, The Dallas Morning News said, that these illicit businesses may also be using the stay-at-home order to operate secretly, though others will likely be suffering from a lack of clientele due to the state’s lockdown. 

There is no time like the present to ensure that the marginalized community of trafficking victims is protected.