Exploiting a Vulnerable Child Leaves Invisible Scars
The proliferation of child pornography, revenge porn, internet luring by predators, and other internet sex crimes grows with each passing year. Likewise, human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world. Tragically, these crimes often revolve around those most vulnerable to exploitation: children.
Sexual predators use the internet (including social media and chat rooms) to target and lure minors and other vulnerable persons for abuse and exploitation. Adult predators often pose as a child, befriending and gaining the child’s trust until they can trick the child into sending nude pictures of themselves, arranging illicit meetings, underage sex solicitation, or downloading, uploading, and sharing pornographic images of minors.
Children are not the only ones at risk: internet sex crimes involve the exploitation of young people and adults, as well. With the rise of “revenge porn” and other intimate violations of privacy, adults can be vulnerable to abuse and manipulation by criminals seeking to injure, exploit, or extort others for their own personal gain.
Some internet crimes overlap with human trafficking enterprises. Human trafficking involves using force, coercion or committing fraud to sexually exploit a child or an unwilling adult.
Commercial sexual exploitation of children ranges from child prostitution, child pornography, child sex tourism, and other forms of transactional sex where a child engages in sexual activities to have his or her basic needs met (like food, shelter, or access to education).
Sex trafficking of children happens both inside and outside of the United States. Trafficking can occur in homes where child sex abuse is unchallenged and goes unreported because adults in the home depend on the perpetrator for their livelihood.
Sex trafficking and internet sex crimes are violations of criminal and civil laws. If you or someone you love has been targeted by sexual predators, contact the office of Crew Janci LLP in order to obtain experienced legal support.
We will fight to hold those who prey on children and adults accountable for their crimes, and we will work to secure financial compensation for victims’ pain and suffering.
In 2010, attorneys from Crew Janci LLP were part of the Plaintiff’s trial team in the landmark case of Kerry Lewis v. Boy Scouts of America, which involved claims for sexual abuse by a Scoutmaster in a Portland, Oregon, Scout Troop operated through a local Mormon (LDS) church. The trial lasted six weeks and garnered international press coverage, ultimately resulting in a jury award for the victim of compensatory and punitive damages which totaled $19 Million.
The centerpiece of the Kerry Lewis trial was BSA’s now infamous secret files on pedophiles in Scouting – known as the “Perversion Files” or “IV Files” (now publicly available through our website). The Secret Files were introduced into evidence at trial and, for the first time ever, made public. Since then, we have created and maintained a database of these files our website.
We continue to represented victims abused in Scouting across the country and abroad. If you or someone you love has been a victim of childhood sexual abuse in Scouting, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred, contact the experienced attorneys at Crew Janci LLP today to determine your options.
