Kay1

Comments

Sex trafficking/prostitution is far from being a victimless crime . Young girls and women usually in their late teens through early 20's are being recruited and in some cases kidnapped off our streets and forced into prostitution . Just this morning I watched a news report on how these "pimps " prey on young girls and women in many cases approaching them on Facebook and other social media sights , posing as a agent for a modeling agency or just a guy looking for Mrs. Right . Once on the streets so to speak their self esteem and self worth is challenged , they are physically and mentally abused and they feel there is no way out . In to many cases even when offered help they return to their abuser .This is all a far cry from a victimless crime.
In more cases than not these girls are introduced to drugs and violence by their "Boss " ... pimps and or gang leaders .... hence the reason for The Porter County Drug Task force being involved in this bust .
There are several organizations and women groups that are trying to help these victims of sex trafficking / prostitution, but it is an uphill battle . After being educated on this crime .... I no longer look at it as a victimless crime nor do I look at these girls and think this is a choice they have made . I highly doubt all of them dreamed of being a prostitution as a young girl or would want their own daughters to be prostitutes . It is a dangerous life style , but not in all cases a chosen one . So if we can get just one young woman off the streets by busting them, the john ( including printing his name in the paper ) and the pimp ( which I realize is hard to do since these girls are scared and won't turn them over ) then my tax dollars have been well spent .

February 28, 2013 8:29 am on Women arrested in prostitution sting in M'ville
The crime took place in Union Twp , therefore it was in the jurisdiction and was investigated by The Porter County Sheriff's Department

February 26, 2013 5:18 pm on McCowan guilty of murder in death of Amanda Bach
The victims did have their guns in a gun safe according to the police report and other news agencies.

February 23, 2013 2:11 pm on Burglars ransack Union Township home
This is good news for Portage .
Being a resident of Valparaiso I can only hope that Valparaiso and the rest of Porter County will be able to say the same .

February 17, 2013 7:50 am on Portage crime drops 17.5 percent in 2012
What a great story for the Pit Bull breed . I have a friend who has two and they are both great dogs . It is a crime what has been done to this breed . Band The Deed ..... Not The Breed .
Yes she has a great smile !

January 07, 2013 12:01 am on Valparaiso dog featured on Chicago TV
I am a resident of Valparaiso and someone who is glad to see The Times run this story . Although informed people already knew the homicide rates in Valparaiso and Portage are similar. I am amazed at those in my own city of Valparaiso whom hide their heads in the sand and point fingers at other communities . This finger pointing behavior accomplishes nothing... it is non productive . Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones . I don't feel Valparaiso is better than any other city nor do I feel I am better than anyone else . I don't claim to have all the answers but our cities and counties are changing and not for the better. Perhaps we can spend our energy trying to improve our own back yards .

December 16, 2012 7:04 pm on Homicide rates similar in Portage and Valparaiso
Does it really matter where this happened , the fact is it happened and it's becoming a way of life everywhere.
I also live in Valparaiso and refuse to throw stones at other communities ... since there's enough going on in my own back yard including murders.

December 11, 2012 11:40 am on Police: Man found dead in Portage
Does it really matter where this happened , the fact is it happened and it's becoming a way of life everywhere.
I also live in Valparaiso and refuse to throw stones at other communities ... since there's enough going on in my own back yard including murders.

December 11, 2012 11:39 am on Police: Man found dead in Portage
Valporestaxed , These two Men are from Valparaiso , our town . But does it really matter? Crime is everywhere .

November 28, 2012 4:09 pm on Two men charged with violent theft from Portage IMAX