Human Trafficking, Prostitution Expected to Increase During Summit

Cook County State's Attorney's Office says crimes of sexual exploitation will not be ignored

The NATO Summit hitting Chicago this weekend is expected to bring the city a lot of things, including an increase in prostitutes.

With a recent crackdown on human trafficking in the streets of Chicago, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez said Wednesday that law enforcement will have their eyes peeled for sexual exploitation during the summit to further deter sex trafficking in the city.

Studies have shown that that demand for this type of sexual activity increases with major events, Alvarez said in a statement.

She said the charges brought this week against one alleged trafficker should send a strong message to both criminals and their potential customers that the activity will not be ignored.

"These are stories you might expect to hear coming from a Third World Country, not from the streets of the City of Chicago.  But this type of violence and exploitation of women is occurring right here in our own back yards," Alvarez said. "More than ever before, we are focusing our efforts on rescuing women and children caught up in this crime and punishing the traffickers to the fullest extent of the law.”

Delegates from around the world are in Chicago through Monday for the NATO Summit.
 

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