SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego Comic-Con is a celebration of creativity, celebrities, and costumes, all rolled into a chaotic party in the Gaslamp District.
However, while tens of thousands swarm into the convention center to have fun, the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force has been activated to shut down the illicit side of what happens when the huge event comes to town.
“Deterrence comes with effective laws. Laws that speak clearly, that say human beings, especially children, are not for sale,” Summer Stephan, the district attorney of San Diego, said.
Assembly Bill 379 has passed, promising to bring stiffer penalties to anyone delving into human trafficking.
“This law will finally bring 16- and 17-year-olds under the protection of the law. Where, if somebody tries to buy them for sex, which is essentially to commit a sexual assault on them, because they’re minors and cannot consent, they can face a felony charge,” Stephan said.
Stephan also said that Comic-Con is a big business for human traffickers.
“They advertise them online, so that when tourists come in, they see these advertisements and they make it look innocent, and the buyers know it’s not innocent,” Stephan said. “They know they are committing a crime. Buying a human being for sex is a criminal act.”
At last year’s Comic-Con, 16 people were arrested for trafficking.
According to Stephan, nine victims were recovered during last year’s Comic-Con, including a 16-year-old.
“That is the real win, to recover these victims and get them out of this life of exploitation and violence,” Stephan added.
Read: Read More