On behalf of all of our partners who joined together to raise attention to the harm caused by Backpage, we applaud the Department of Justice for taking decisive action to shut down the Backpage website on Friday, April 6th. This action will prevent countless more victims, including our children, from being trafficked online for sex.
We continue to believe that Connecticut can lead the way to demonstrate that the eradication of this heinous crime can, and must, happen. It is our citizens who have united and advocated for some of the most comprehensive reforms and progressive proposals, including the first state statute to require training by the lodging industry and conspicuous signage of the trafficking hotline. This year, all of you helped us to raise awareness about the extraordinary harm caused by Backpage. DOJ’s important prosecution comes immediately after Congress passed the FOSTA-SESTA legislation that the President signed into law on April 11th. FOSTA-SESTA clarifies Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which Backpage and other online sites have improperly used as a shield against lawsuits.
Our actions as individuals and communities are the most important asset in combatting this horrific crime. Thank you for all of your support and for joining us in this crucial effort. We hope that you will continue to engage with us as we keep fighting!
With Appreciation,
Krishna Patel
Former General Counsel & former Justice Initiative Director
Grace Farms Foundation
Richard Schechter
Senior Justice Advisor
Grace Farms Foundation
Sharon Prince
Chair & President
Grace Farms Foundation
Steve Martin
CEO
Love146
Mary Lee Kiernan
President and CEO
YWCA Greenwich
Elizabeth Boolbol
Founder
Global Partnership to End Human Trafficking (PEHT)
