January 11, 2011 by Ryan Dalton
To concerned citizens of Memphis and Tennessee,
Operation Broken Silence (“OBS”) is pleased to submit to you the results of the Memphis area Backpage.com (“Backpage”) study that we conducted during the fourth quarter of 2010. The enclosed information is an analysis which uses the information that traffickers, pimps, and prostitutes have provided to Backpage as a means of advertising prostitution in order to better understand local illicit trade and its consequences.
Between October 1st and December 31st of 2010, a team of ten volunteers collected data from Backpage.com. This data has been compiled and stylized in order to clearly highlight trends, patterns, and the economics of prostitution and trafficking in Memphis as well as the surrounding areas. In response, OBS sets forth four objectives that support regional and multilateral efforts:
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apply pressure on Village Voice Media to shut down the adult section on Backpage
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create legislation in 2011
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implement an aftercare program in West TN
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stimulate community involvement in abolition
The idea that anyone can be an abolitionist is one of the fundamental tenets of OBS. Additionally, we believe that solid research results in knowing the scope of the problem and provides a framework for effective abolition. OBS hopes to use this report to not only reveal Backpage as a website that facilitates trafficking, but also provide a framework for abolition efforts in Memphis during 2011. We invite the community, law enforcement, local and state government, and the medical and counseling professionals of Memphis and Tennessee to join us in combating the modern slave trade.
OBS looks forward to working with all of you on this important issue.
Click here to access Operation Broken Silence website and download the entire Backpage Report.
Sincerely,
Ryan Dalton
Anti-Trafficking Director
Operation Broken Silence
Memphis, TN
