Washington D.C., Jul 30, 2013 / 16:02 pm
A major U.S. law enforcement operation, which saved over 100 minors from prostitution rings and arrested over 150, drew praise from a congressman known for toughening laws against sex trafficking.
The raids were "simultaneously sad and heartening," said Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), co-chair of the Congressional Human Trafficking Congress.
"Those children are freed from a terrible life of misery, but these crimes would not occur without the demand of buyers of commercial sex," he told CNA July 30.
"It is my hope that law enforcement also caught buyers among the 150 arrests, and that it will seek justice to those who obtain children for commercial sex."