LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Getting powerful on the purchasers who pay for intercourse is the easiest way to assault human trafficking, in response to a lady who instructed her story to lawmakers on Monday.
“I was sex trafficked in Las Vegas for a year and three months. I didn’t even know what sex trafficking was until it was happening to me,” Christina Rangel mentioned. She moved to Las Vegas “as a young single mother looking for job opportunities and to be closer to my dad.”
Prostitution is unlawful in Clark County. Authorized brothels function in rural counties. Rangel mentioned when she was rising up in Carson Metropolis, she knew about all that. She did not anticipate a on line casino to be a spot the place it may occur.
When she was offered for intercourse for the primary time, “I had absolutely no idea what was about to happen in my life.”
Since then, Rangel says she has been working for 17 years in 9 international locations preventing intercourse trafficking in many alternative varieties. She criticized present Nevada legislation as “nearly a parking ticket” for the patrons who create the demand for prostitution.
Christina Rangel testifies in assist of AB299 on Monday. (Courtesy: Nevada State Legislature)
She was amongst these testifying in assist of laws that might double the high-quality for “johns” — the purchasers — and require officers to make an arrest somewhat than simply issuing a quotation. It could additionally finish the usual apply of robotically sealing the document of the incident. Understanding that they are going to be arrested can be a giant deterrent, in response to Carson Metropolis District Lawyer Tyson League.
“Assembly Bill 299 (AB299) is intended to shift that balance to increase accountability for the customers who fuel the illegal prostitution industry,” Democratic Assem. Elaine Marzola mentioned. “By increasing penalties, mandating arrests and adjusting record-sealing provisions, this bill sends a clear message that purchasing sexual services is not a victimless crime and that those who engage in such activities will be held responsible for their actions.”
For too lengthy, enforcement has centered on those that are exploited, not those who’re driving the demand, Marzola mentioned.
She offered statistics from Could 3, 2023, to Could 3, 2024, that confirmed human trafficking offenses elevated by 50% total. Spring Valley noticed a 234% enhance over that point interval, whereas downtown was up 81%. The Las Vegas Strip, which is patrolled by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Division’s Conference Heart Space Command, noticed a 21.7% enhance. Older statistics from 2018 indicated greater than 5,000 people have been offered for intercourse every month.
AB299 would enhance the minimal high-quality for patrons from the present $400 to $800. Slightly than being robotically sealed, the document would stay public for 2 years. At that time, the individual may petition the court docket to seal the document.
Practically all the lads she encountered in Las Vegas knew what they doing was unlawful, she mentioned. Virtually all of them requested questions to ensure she wasn’t police.
“Almost 100% of the tourist buyers that bought me as a victim in the Las Vegas casinos would ask me questions to try to prove that I wasn’t some undercover police officer,” she mentioned.
Rangel mentioned she was pressured into prostitution. Her account offered a have a look at her first encounter with the legislation.
Her trafficker despatched her to a on line casino bar, the place a person requested her if they may negotiate a value within the room. She mentioned OK, and so they went towards the elevator.
“He turned to me and he mentioned, ‘Oh, I am sorry, it is not an excellent night time for you. I am vice.’
“He looks at me and he says, ‘Hey, I’ve got to take you down and book you,’ and all of these things, and I’m about to cry, like I wanted to hug this man. ‘Oh my gosh, you saved me,’ ” Rangel recalled.
“The trauma of the moment is indescribable,” she mentioned.
She wasn’t arrested. She was taken to a room the place different prostitutes have been ready to be transported for reserving. When she was launched, her trafficker put her proper again out on the streets, sending her to the on line casino subsequent door to the place she was picked up the primary time.
Paloma Guerrero, testifying on behalf of the Clark County Public Defender’s Workplace, mentioned AB299 would have the other impact that its sponsors need. She mentioned ladies concerned within the intercourse commerce are those who can pay the worth for any elevated penalties, not the purchasers. Demand does not lower, she mentioned.
The Washoe County public defender additionally opposed the invoice.
Metro police and different legislation enforcement businesses weren’t current on the invoice listening to.
