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tulipsandroses

(5,092 posts)
Thu Apr 1, 2021, 04:18 AM Apr 2021

CITIZEN'S GUIDE TO U.S. FEDERAL LAW ON CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING

I can't believe I have to post this here. But in case anyone is in doubt about what Gaetz is accused of

CITIZEN'S GUIDE TO U.S. FEDERAL LAW ON CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING


Child Sex Trafficking is prohibited by 18 U.S.C. § 1591. This statute makes it a federal offense to knowingly recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, obtain, or maintain a minor (defined as someone under 18 years of age) knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the victim is a minor and would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act. “Commercial sex act” is defined very broadly to include “any sex act, on account of which anything of value is given to or received by any person.” In other words, it is illegal both to offer and to obtain a child, and cause that child to engage in any kind of sexual activity in exchange for anything of value, whether it be money, goods, personal benefit, in-kind favors, or some other kind of benefit. Section 1591 also makes it a crime for individuals to participate in a business venture that obtains minors and causes them to engage in commercial sex acts.


Section 1591 is called “Sex trafficking of children or by force, fraud, or coercion.” Most people think of “trafficking” as involving movement across state or international borders. However, Section 1591 does not require proof that either the defendant or victim crossed state or international lines.

When the victim is a minor, Section 1591 does not require proof that the defendant used force, threats of force, fraud, or coercion, or any combination of those means, to cause the minor to engage in a commercial sex act.

[link:https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ceos/citizens-guide-us-federal-law-child-sex-trafficking|

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