Sex trafficking in L.A. made worse by California law, Republican candidate for governor says
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California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton on Monday visited a notorious sex-trafficking corridor in South L.A.and vowed to rescind a law that decriminalized loitering, a measure critics say endanger, not help, victims.
Standing at the corner of Figueroa and 77th streets, Hilton promised to repeal the 2022 Safer Streets for All Act, which eliminated a misdemeanor law for prostitution-related loitering.Hilton blamed the state’s Democratic leadership for the sex trafficking corridor, arguing that Gov.Gavin Newsom and others are neglecting the “evil” trade.“Our children are being sold here,” said Hilton, who spent Friday night in the area with advocates fighting sex trafficking.
He said he witnessed a young girl who he said looked to be about 8 years old being sold to a customer.California Violent online groups have allegedly abused hundreds of mostly female minor victims worldwide, according to Homeland Security Investigations.“Totally out in the open — this is one of the most shocking things I have seen,” said Hilton, holding up blurry photos of girls and young women taken on Friday night.A former advisor to British Prime Minister David Cameron, Hilton is one of a handful of Republicans running for office in next year’s election.
Newsom faces term limits and must step down.Nicknamed “the Blade,” the Figueroa Corridor is by far the most notorious sex trade hub in the city.Scantily-clad girls and young women strut alongside this section of Figueroa Street at all hours of the day.In August, a federal indictment charged 11 alleged gang members and associates with controlling prostitution along a 3.5 mile stretch of Figueroa.
Gang members and associates allegedly recruited vulnerable minors and young women — including runaways and children from the foster care system — through social media and branded them with tattoos, prosecutors charged.As Hilton�...