Examiner.com

NORTH AMERICA

Minnesota: Former assistant county attorney was accused of running a high profile prostitution ring in the state. The prostitution ring allegedly connected foreign women to the nice guys in Minneapolis such as lawyers, accountants, mortgage bankers, etc. The ring leader, John St. Marie, 66 was charged with six felony counts of promoting prostitution, but none of the clients has yet to be charged. 

New Mexico: The police captured the suspected kidnapper who forced a teenager into prostitution. The detectives said that he was arrested unexpectedly when they were performing surveillance on a possible drug house. He is now facing multiple charges including promoting prostitution and human trafficking. 

California: The new bill to require massage therapists to complete background checks by local law enforcement is at controversy. Many community leaders and massage therapists oppose to the bill while police claims that 89% of the massage therapists are prostitutes. 

EUROPE

UK: In response to the criticism that only a few traffickers are convicted, prosecutors plead victims to come forward and testify against traffickers. Last year, the report states that 102 were prosecuted and another 19 for labor trafficking. The prosecution office announced the growing problem of human trafficking into Britain from Nigeria, China, and Vietnam. 

ASIA

India: Harvard human trafficking fellow reports his first submission on labor trafficking in India. While child labor is easy to be identified, the fellow reports that adult labor trafficking and migrant labors can be blurry. But, he recognizes his victim status by asking questions regarding their freedom of movement or payment. 

Thailand: Human trafficking is on the rise as many vulnerable victims are trafficked to other countries like Malaysia. One victim left home to work at a textile factory, but when she was awake, she was sold to a sex industry in Malaysia. Labor exploitation is also rampant. Many victims are from the neighboring countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. They are locked up in a room and exploited with a labor in a factory. If they try to escape, they are subject to physical abuse. 

South Korea: South Korean matchmaker was arrested for failing to inform his clients of restrictions of Cambodian international marriage laws, including the ban on group interview between a client and 28 Cambodian women. If convicted, he will be fined more than $3000. 

AFRICA