Items written by Shea Rhodes

• Lawrence “Larry” Ray on Trial, Convicted of Sex Trafficking and Forced Labor at Sarah Lawrence College

  Date: May 12, 2022

  On, April 6, 2022, Lawrence “Larry” Ray was convicted on all counts by a Manhattan jury after pleading not guilty to several charges, including sex trafficking, extortion, forced labor and money laundering. Ray was accused of psychologically manipulating his daughter’s … Read more about Lawrence “Larry” Ray on Trial, Convicted of Sex Trafficking and Forced Labor at Sarah Lawrence College »

• Lancaster County HT Task Force Arrests Alleged Sex Trafficker

  Date: May 7, 2022

  On April 21, 2022, the Lancaster County Human Trafficking Task Force arrested Louis Fountain after an investigation that began in early March. Fountain is charged with two counts of Trafficking in Individuals under 18 Pa C.S. § 3011. Fountain was … Read more about Lancaster County HT Task Force Arrests Alleged Sex Trafficker »

• Human Trafficking Crisis Amongst Ukrainian Refugees

  Date: May 2, 2022

  Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Since then, it is estimated that over 5 million refugees have left Ukraine, surpassing the initial estimate of 4 million refugees. Overall, more than 10 million Ukrainians have been displaced by the war. … Read more about Human Trafficking Crisis Amongst Ukrainian Refugees »

• Woman Makes Up Human Trafficking Story: How Misinformation Exacerbates The Human Trafficking Problem

  Date: May 2, 2022

  On March 31, 2022, a woman shared on Facebook that her sister was allegedly approached by human traffickers in a Target parking lot in Swatara Township, Pennsylvania. According to the woman, she wanted to warn others—particularly women—that human trafficking was … Read more about Woman Makes Up Human Trafficking Story: How Misinformation Exacerbates The Human Trafficking Problem »

• Student Blog Series: Police Sexual Misconduct: Looking Further into Police Sexual Violence

  Date: April 18, 2022

  In 2017, two New York police officers arrested an eighteen-year-old woman after she and her two male friends were found with a small amount of marijuana. The officers told her two male friends they were “free to go,” and proceeded … Read more about Student Blog Series: Police Sexual Misconduct: Looking Further into Police Sexual Violence »

• Student Blog Series: Misinformation and Clickbait Undermining Work to End Sex Trafficking

  Date: April 7, 2022

  You have seen the headlines about a new trafficking scheme surrounding a big event, or maybe a friend has told you she got contacted by a potential trafficker. Maybe your idea of sex trafficking is like the hit movie Taken. … Read more about Student Blog Series: Misinformation and Clickbait Undermining Work to End Sex Trafficking »

• Student Blog Series: Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act: The Importance of Workplace Protections

  Date: April 6, 2022

  With the rise of two parent working households and an aging population, domestic workers will play a substantial role in creating a flexible workforce and a high functioning economy. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that nearly 13% … Read more about Student Blog Series: Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act: The Importance of Workplace Protections »

• Polaris Announces New Philadelphia County and Montgomery County National Human Trafficking Hotlines

  Date: April 4, 2022

  Starting over a decade ago, Polaris, a leading data-driven movement to fight human trafficking, created the United States National Human Trafficking Hotline. Polaris created the national hotline to assist victims and survivors of human trafficking and to hold traffickers responsible … Read more about Polaris Announces New Philadelphia County and Montgomery County National Human Trafficking Hotlines »

• 14 Men Arrested by Lancaster County Human Trafficking Task Force for Buying Sex

  Date: April 4, 2022

  On March 10, 2022, the Lancaster County Human Trafficking Task Force completed its first successful operation in its mission to combat human trafficking in Lancaster County. 14 suspects were arrested for allegedly arranging to buy sex from an undercover officer. … Read more about 14 Men Arrested by Lancaster County Human Trafficking Task Force for Buying Sex »

• Student Blog Series: A Response to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’s “Sex Work” Episode

  Date: April 1, 2022

  Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is a talk show that takes a topical look at the previous week’s current events, news, and politics. This show has gained a reputation as an advocate for social change and uses wit as … Read more about Student Blog Series: A Response to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’s “Sex Work” Episode »