"Community Rallies Against Illegal Sex Trade" by Katie Crowther

Las Vegas (NV )
- Beyond the bright lights and tall buildings
of the strip, there's a growing problem in Las Vegas. According to the
non-profit organization, Stop Child Trafficking Now, thousands of children and
teenagers are becoming victims of the illegal sex trade. Las Vegas, which is
considered the adult entertainment mecca, scores as one of the top 15 cities in
the world for child sex trafficking.

Dozens of Las Vegans came together
Saturday, to fight that statistic. They took to the streets for a three-mile
walk, organized by Stop Child Trafficking Now.

"There are thousands and
thousands of these kids transported through Las Vegas," says one of the event
organizers, Jimmy McNamara. "Some stay, but a majority of them go throughout the
entire country."

"It just doesn't make sense to me at all, why someone
would pay money to sleep with a child," says Kimberly Glucker. "It's just
inconceivable."

Glucker participated in the walk with her three young
children. She doesn't want her kids growing up in a world where child sex
slavery is a reality. "We need to do something, and stop this every way
possible."

A group of teenagers from Green Valley High School agree. They
walked in solidarity, because for them, the issue hits close to home. Many of
them are the same age, as those sold into the sex industry.

"I can't
believe it's here in our city," says Britney Smith, 17.  "It could be my sister,
or best friend. We have to fight for this cause. If we can stop it now, we don't
have to worry about anyone else being in it."

The walk raised hundreds of
dollars to fight sex trafficking. This is the event's third year in a row, and
each year it gains more support. The same walk was held in more than 35 other
cities across the country. They were all organized by Stop Child Trafficking
Now.

Published: 09/24/11 by Channel 13 Action News via internet
http://www.ktnv.com/news/local/130508723.html
Note: Britney Smith is one of our senior members and was volunteering with C.H.A.N.C.E. at this event.



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