Bushwick and Brownsville, Brooklyn NY, United States

United States · Bushwick and Brownsville, Brooklyn NY · 2010 (location generalized to protect survivors)

The eight suspects were charged in four indictments referring to separate cases in northeastern Brooklyn. Some of the suspects are believed to be affiliated with the Bloods street gang. Three remain at large. Prompted by a wide-ranging investigation into the cases of about 15 girls who said they were forced into prostitution, District Attorney Charles J. Hynes of Brooklyn said that he was creating a Sex Trafficking Unit to take aim at those who sexually exploit women and girls. As investigators built the cases, the need for a more comprehensive approach to the growing problem of domestic sex trafficking became apparent, Mr. Hynes said. Gang involvement in the sex trade, and associated violence and exploitation, seemed to be a growing problem that called for more vigorous prosecution, he said. But such prosecutions also require other tools. Victims, particularly minors, are often fearful of speaking out against their pimps and need extensive counseling and other services. Meanwhile, questions linger on how teachers, parents and others could have missed warning signs. To that end, the new unit, which will use existing staff and funds, will go into schools and community centers “to raise awareness of sex trafficking and its potential signs,” like physical injuries, unexplained income, fearfulness around a dating partner and unexplained disappearances.