Sept. 30--The Indiana Attorney General says prostitution and human trafficking operations are not crimes Indianapolis should ignore with the Super Bowl coming to town.
Law enforcement, prosecutors and victim advocates spent the day together in a room focused on the expected increase in sex crimes.
"If they know what to look for, what questions to ask, we're hoping we can identify more victims and serve them," said Abby Kuzma, chief counsel and director of the Consumer Protection Office of the Indiana Attorney General.
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said the training, which will continue for months, is part of a statewide and national initiative to expand public awareness and the Super Bowl proved a good jumping off point.
"We can't ignore the problem," said Zoeller. "We can try to diminish the demand."
An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson said they are working with state police and federal agencies on a plan to address the illegal sex trade that is clearly present online on a variety of websites.
"Thankfully our public safety officials are very knowledgeable and have great expertise in this area," said Dianna Boyce, a spokesperson for the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee.
Zoeller also spoke about proposed legislation that would add child trafficking to the state's list of sex offenses. He said he wants it on the governor's desk before game day.
"We don't have a specific statute that recognizes that bringing someone in against their will is a specific crime," said Zoeller.
Currently, it is a crime to solicit a child for sex, but Zoeller said a loophole exists in the statute that fails to cover the organized exploitation of children by people who profit from the sale of sex with minors.
The next training event concerning sex trafficking prevention is scheduled on October 24 and 25.
The Super Bowl Host Committee will also unveil an online training course next Tuesday for people in the hospitality industry. It will have a section on being aware of and reporting ongoing sex crimes.
Copyright 2011 - WXIN-TV, Indianapolis
