Arkansas Sex Trafficking Attorneys
Caring attorneys protecting Little Rock sex trafficking victims
Survivors of sex trafficking are often victimized twice: first by their traffickers, and second by a justice system that may treat them more like criminals. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we understand that you’ve been through a traumatic ordeal and that you deserve to have a chance at a better life. We work with survivors and their families throughout Arkansas, clearing their names and their records, and fighting for the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. If you or your loved one has been a victim of sex trafficking, contact us in Little Rock to schedule a free consultation in a safe and secure office.
The basics of sex trafficking in Arkansas
There is no one “type” of sex trafficking victim. Traffickers abuse girls and boys, men and women, citizens and immigrants, the poor and the rich. It can literally happen to anyone.
Sex trafficking can be perpetrated either by an individual, a small group, or a sophisticated criminal ring. The bigger the operation, the more likely it is for victims to be transported internationally and not just across state lines. Once outside the country, it can be virtually impossible to escape so reporting suspicious behavior early can save these targets from a lifetime of torture.
As of June 2019, the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) reported 41 cases of human trafficking; 27 were cases of sex trafficking. While most trafficking victims were female (32 out of 41), only 15 were minors, meaning that 24 trafficking victims were legally adults.
Sex trafficking in Little Rock
Little Rock is not exempt from sex trafficking cases.
- In September 2019, the 73 year old owner of a North Little Rock trucking company was arrested for rape, sexual exploitation of a minor, and patronizing a known sex trafficking victim when a 17 year old boy called in the suspected abuse to police. A woman believed to be a relative of the teenage girls being trafficked was also arrested for rape.
- One Little Rock hotel was named in a lawsuit in October 2019. Obvious victims who were seen and heard by staff daily were not only ignored but the traffickers were permitted private use of an entire floor of the hotel.
- In December 2019, a North Little Rock man was arrested when an employee of the Fairfield Inn & Suites reported that a woman was being forced into sex trafficking at the hotel. She had also been moved across state lines to engage in commercial sex acts, which violates federal law.
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Recognizing the signs of sex trafficking
Traffickers know who to target and what measures are likely to be successful based upon each situation. They practice honing their skills in order to easily gain the trust of those they intend to abuse. Often, witnesses are afraid to get involved when they see or hear something that looks wrong, for fear of reprisal. Sometimes, they don’t quite know what it is that seems so wrong, so they’re not even sure what to report.
According to the sex trafficking prevention organization Love146.org, signs of sex trafficking situations can include:
- Victims always being accompanied when they leave their residence or motel/hotel room
- Minors loitering out on the street or seen around motels/hotels when they should be home or in school
- The sudden appearance of an older significant other
- Homes with fully covered windows, bars on the windows, and extensive home security
- Unusually high traffic coming and going from a residence or motel room
- Verbal or physical abuse by a perceived romantic partner
- Victims appearing anxious, depressed, submissive, or paranoid
- Victims appearing sluggish or “out of it,” i.e., displaying signs of substance abuse
- Victims being unable to provide you with basic contact information or a home address
- Victims dressing inappropriately for age/time of day/alleged employment
- Appearance of tattoos or other marks that can’t be explained
The criminal side of sex trafficking in Arkansas
It doesn’t make any difference how they paint themselves – pimps, managers, or boyfriends – sex traffickers can be charged with a wide array of related crimes under Arkansas state law, such as:
- Under AR Code § 5-18-103, a person commits the felony offense of sex trafficking if he or she knowingly “[r]ecruits, entices, solicits, isolates, harbors, transports, provides, maintains, or obtains a minor for commercial sexual activity” or knowing that a person will be subjected to involuntary servitude.
- Under AR Code § 5-18-104, anyone who patronizes a known victim of sexual trafficking may be charged with a Class A felony.
- Under AR Code § 5-14-113, sexual extortion, a Class B felony, could be charged when circumstances dictate.
- Under AR Code § 5-14-123, exposing another person to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) could be yet another criminal charge your offender or “johns” face for the harm they’ve inflicted on you.
Sex Trafficking can also be charged as a crime under federal law. Bringing victims into Little Rock from other states or transporting victims who are citizens of Little Rock across state lines to engage in sexual acts is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 2421 and 2423(a).
It can be tough for victims of sex trafficking to seek out the police to make a complaint against their abuser, but it’s something that you have a right to do. Someone who forced you into being sexually assaulted should answer for it, regardless of whether you were coerced physically or psychologically.
Using a civil suit to seek justice as a survivor of sex trafficking
You don’t have control over how a jury might decide a criminal case, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have any control over your future. Victims of sexual assault in Arkansas can sue their abusers for damages in civil court. You could be entitled to compensation for the following:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Punitive damages
Does it matter what happens in criminal court?
Not necessarily. While a verdict of “guilty” in criminal court can help bolster your civil case, a verdict of “not guilty” will not necessarily hamper it. OJ Simpson, for example, was found “not guilty” of murder in criminal court but was held liable for millions of dollars in a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court. So, as you can see, the outcome of your civil case against your trafficker can be successful even if the State does not pursue criminal charges, or if the verdict in criminal court doesn’t go the way you’d hoped.
Who can be held liable in a sex trafficking case in civil court?
The person, persons, or organization directly responsible for trafficking the victim, as well as any person who engaged in sexual activities in exchange for money or other services, can be held liable in civil court. Any businesses that turned a blind eye, or actively engaged in wrongdoing, may also be held liable for damages. This can include hotels and motels, truck stops, and commercial buildings. It can also include transportation services which transport victims.
The Little Rock personal injury attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC, have been trusted by our community to protect the rights of our clients for more than 30 years. Our legal team is attuned to the sensitive nature of sex trafficking claims and what you have been forced to endure. Call us today for guidance on holding your wrongdoer accountable.
Bailey & Greer, PLLC, stands ready to seek justice for Arkansas sex trafficking victims
Sex traffickers deserve to be held accountable for the harm they inflict. The compassionate Little Rock injury attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC, want you to understand the rights you have and the compensation that you may be entitled to receive as a survivor of sexual assault. To schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team in Little Rock, please call 501-213-1512 or fill out our contact form. All consultations are confidential. If you wish to work with a female attorney, we can accommodate you.
