By Linda A Smith Samantha Healy Vardaman Melissa A Snow

28Shared Hope Internationalfacilitating organized crime. Additionally, one was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assaultand aggravated kidnapping, while the other was charged under the prostitution statute. 87Shared Hope International found only one example (of the ten assessments across the country) where afacilitator was arrested. The case involved one person who allegedly transported a domestic minor sextrafficking victim and was charged under a state statute that criminalizes facilitation of transportationfor the purposes of human trafficking. The case was still pending at the completion of the Fort Worthassessment. 88Traffickers/pimps, facilitators, and buyers are using the Internet and other technology, as well asmagazines, to expand their marketing base. These marketing methods can act as a facilitator as well andmake procuring illicit materials relatively easy. One service provider reported that over a two-year period,an 800% increase was seen in the number of children reporting that technology was used in some way tofacilitate prostitution. 89 Online classified advertising websites have come under heavy criticism for theirroles in facilitating prostitution of minors and adults — an illegal activity that they are not stopping. InIllinois, Sheriff Dart of Cook County has recruited pro bono lawyers to file suit against Craigslist undera public nuisance theory, alleging that their maintenance of an Erotic Services webpage is tantamount tothe pimping of women and children. 90 Atlanta, Georgia, Mayor Shirley Franklin attacked Craigslist in apublic letter for the role it plays in facilitating the prostitution of children in Atlanta. 91 Craigslist defendsits practice of requiring a valid credit card and a working telephone number to place an advertisement foradult services and quickly responds to law enforcement requests for tracking information in investigatingpimping activities. In addition, Craigslist added the following warning language on its “Erotic Services”webpage:Unless all of the following points are true, please use your “back” button to exit this part of craigslist:1. I am at least 18 years old.2. I understand “erotic services” may include adult content.3. I agree to flag as “prohibited” anything illegal or in violation of the craigslist terms of use. Thisincludes, but is not limited to, offers for or the solicitation of prostitution.4. I agree to report suspected exploitation of minors to the appropriate authorities.5. By clicking on the links below, I release craigslist from any liability that may arise from my use of thissite.87Hay, Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Assessment Report — Dallas, Texas, pg. 9, citing T. Eiserer. “Club where girl, 12, strippedwill keep license.” Dallas Morning News, March 27, 2008. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/crime/stories/DN-clubs_27met.ART.West.Edition1.1589397.html. Accessed on April 5, 2008.88Stevens, Eve, Smith and Bing, Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Assessment Report — Fort Worth, Texas, pg. 53.89Remarks by Andrea Hesse, Alberta Family Services, Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Alberta (PSECA) Program, Alberta,Canada. Shared Hope International National Training Conference on the Sex Trafficking of America’s Youth (Dallas, Texas:September 15-16, 2008). Transcript on file with authors.90“Lawsuit accuses craigslist of promoting prostitution.” CNN, March 5, 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/03/05/craigs.list.prostitution/index.html. Accessed on April 15, 2009.91Pendered, D. “Mayor: Web site enables child sex; Craigslist should remove ads that seem to promote child prostitution, saysAtlanta’s Shirley Franklin.” Atlanta-Journal Constitution, August 22, 2007. http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100020422&docId=l:658599507&start=24. Accessed on April 15, 2009.